A report on the conference organised by the Comité d’études de défense nationale (Committee for National Defence Studies) held on 1 July 2005. Japan is seeking to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and has had to bring its defence policy into line with that political objective. The alliance between Japan and the United States, based on a more equal partnership, and the rejection of nuclear deterrence remain constant themes. On the other hand, the review of the structure of its self-defence forces, and the acquisition of means that allow them to take on new missions overseas, seem to give Japan a new role.