Today, officials from the U.S. and Japan announced their decision to delay the final report on the revision of the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation scheduled for release later this month.

The decision was based on ensuring consistency between the revised guidelines and the development of future Japanese security legislation. The final report will be released at the earliest possible time next year, taking into account the progress of Japan's legislative process.

The guidelines describe a framework for roles and missions for U.S.-Japan security cooperation during all situations across the spectrum from peacetime to contingencies.

At the October 2013 "2+2" meeting in Tokyo, Secretary Hagel, Secretary Kerry, and their Japanese counterparts announced their decision to revise the guidelines. The guidelines were last updated in 1997.

The full text of the announcement can be viewed here