TOKYO: Japan continued to see the importance of the US military presence in the region, according to a Defense White Paper approved by the cabinet on Friday, September 10.

The relocation of the US airbase in Okinawa has been a thorn in the side of the Democratic Party of Japan-led government but the White Paper justified its presence and stressed on the importance of regional security.

The 2010 Defense White Paper explained the US presence is important to Japan due to North Korea's increasing threat.

Pyongyang has been increasing its ballistic missile capability and promoting weapons of mass destruction.

China's military build up was also being looked on with concern.

During the past months, there have been reports of China's naval vessels and submarines in waters close to Japan's southern islands.

The Defense Paper also said that the two countries are in the process of deepening ties commemorating the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the current bilateral security agreement.

US-Japan ties have been tense since the Democratic Party of Japan won the general election last year.

Is is the main reason why the new administration scrapped the agreement reached between Washington and the previous Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government on relocating the Futenma Air Base in Okinawa.

The airbase is located in a congested part of Okinawa and the island's residents are unhappy about problems caused by the US presence.

The paper did not highlight the reform of the Defense Ministry which was stressed in the last white paper.

This is the first Defense white paper published under the control of the Democratic Party of Japan and the party has decided to overhaul plans stipulated by the former LDP-led government. - CNA/fa