2015年4月28日美日安全諮商會議發表新版的《美日防衛合作指針》，著重於對緊急事態和灰色地帶事態的應變，與1997年版美日防衛合作指針相比，新指針取消了「日本周邊」此一地理限制，凸顯美日防衛合作的「全球性質」；打破原有的「三種事態」劃分方法，強調美日防衛合作的「無縫」體制；並增加太空與網路合作。美日防衛合作機制除以美日兩國為主體外，亦規劃逐步將友好的第三國納入，如美日澳、美日韓安全合作或情報交流機制等。隨著日本安保政策的調整，日本將會更積極與區域國家合作，共同維護區域和平與穩定。

U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee published updated Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation on April 28th, 2015, focusing on the reaction to emergencies and gray-zone situations. In comparison to previous guidelines announced in 1997, the updated ones will not restrict Japan's peacekeeping missions to areas surrounding Japan. Instead, it emphasizes the ＂global＂ nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance, establishes a seamless defense mechanism and sets out parameters for bilateral cooperation in cyberspace. In addition to consolidating defense synergy across U.S. and Japan, the guidelines also outline the plan of developing alliance relationship with the third party such as establishing security cooperation or intelligence exchange mechanisms among U.S., Japan, and Australia or U.S., Japan, and Korea. With these adjustments, Japan will positively cooperate with surrounding countries in the maintenance of regional peace and stability.