Japan defence review warns of North Korea weapons development and China’s ‘threatening behaviour’ in disputed seas
North Korea’s missiles represent and China’s continued ‘threatening behaviour’ in the East China Sea and South China Sea a concern for Japan
North Korea’s missile development poses a “new level of threat”, Japan’s defence ministry said Tuesday in an annual report that also reiterated concerns over China’s increasing military posture.
Japan released its annual Defence White Paper after North Korea fired two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) last month on lofted trajectories to land off Japan’s west coast.
“It is conceivable that North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme has already considerably advanced and it is possible that North Korea has already achieved the miniaturisation of nuclear weapons and has acquired nuclear warheads,” the Defence Ministry said.
“Since last year, when it forcibly implemented two nuclear tests and more than 20 ballistic missile launches, the security threats have entered a new stage,” it added in the 563-page document.
North Korea’s latest ICBM test showed Pyongyang may now be able to reach most of the continental United States, two US officials have told Reuters.
