An evacuation drill simulating a ballistic missile launch has been held on Yonaguni Island, Japan's westernmost remote island, for the first time.
Twenty-two residents, including children, took part in the drill jointly organized by the central and prefectural governments and Yonaguni Town in Okinawa Prefecture, on Wednesday.
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 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.
Japan's government is seeking to gain consensus from the ruling parties over the proposed development of a new long-range cruise missile.
The "standoff missile" has a much longer firing range than the Ground Self-Defense Force's current surface-to-ship model. It can be launched from a point far enough away to evade fire from the target.
Russia's military has conducted surface-to-air missile drills on at least one of four islands claimed by Japan.
Russia's Eastern Military District says the S-300 air defense system was moved from a location in the country's Far East.
NHK has learned that Japan's Defense Ministry will mainly look into using ships in its study of offshore alternatives to the Aegis Ashore missile defense system.
The land-based Aegis Ashore is designed to use radar and interceptor missiles to stop ballistic missiles. Japan planned to deploy it in response to a surge in North Korean ballistic missile tests.
The Japanese government plans to draw up a new policy on missile defense by the end of the year.
The government held a National Security Council meeting on Friday with Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro, Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide and Defense Minister Kono Taro in attendance.
Japan's government plans to hold a National Security Council meeting this week and withdraw the plan to deploy a land-based missile defense system called Aegis Ashore.
The government announced the suspension of the deployment plan last week.