Civilian control becomes even more important.

(From Asahi Shimbun)

Unified SDF command Under centralized command and control, the head of the Joint Staff and other officers will inevitably have more clout with the prime minister-the supreme commander-and the Defense Agency director-general. The Defense Agency's Joint Staff Council has proposed creation of a unified command that would put the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Force elements together to eliminate the weaknesses of compartmentalization and enable the Self-Defense Forces to respond more swiftly and more efficiently

The chairman of the present Joint Staff Council, who coordinates the three services, would be replaced by one chief of the …