Japan To Develop New Long - Range Missile
The Japanese government has decided to develop a new type of long-range "standoff missile" that can attack targets from outside enemy range.
The government approved the new missile defense policy at a Cabinet meeting on Friday.
The Cabinet decision does not directly touch on the issue of Japan's possession of the capability to attack enemy bases to destroy ballistic missiles inside adversaries' territory. It only states that the government will continue to study the strengthening of Japan's deterrence.
The "standoff missiles" would be capable of attacking targets outside adversaries' firing range.
The government plans to substantially extend the range of the Ground Self-Defense Force's existing ground-to-ship missiles. The new longer-range cruise missiles would be capable of also being launched from ships and aircraft.
The new missile defense policy incorporates the construction of two vessels equipped with the Aegis anti-ballistic missile system, as an alternative to the scrapped plan to deploy the land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense system.
Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo says Japan must build a robust missile defense system in view of the heightened threats posed by North Korean missiles.
Kishi told reporters on Friday that the government will thoroughly consider what kind of equipment will be mounted on the new Aegis vessels and how it should be operated by taking account of the changing situation.
