EDITORIAL: Defense Agency's new HQ.

The opening ceremony for the Defense Agency's new headquarters in Ichigaya was held on Monday. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the National Police Reserve, the precursor of the Self- Defense Forces (SDF).

Since the inception of the SDF, the Defense Agency has been using facilities once used by the Japanese Imperial Army and the American occupation forces.

The Defense Agency's first headquarters were located in Koto-ku, and then moved to Kasumigaseki in Chiyoda-ku, and later to Roppongi in Minato-ku. After a half century, the Defense Agency has finally been able to move into "a home of its own design," says Defense Agency Director General Tsutomu …