Japan to build two ships equipped with Aegis missile defence system
- Earlier this year, Japan scrapped unpopular plans to deploy US-developed Aegis Ashore defence systems in northeastern and western Japan
- The interceptors are to counter the North Korean missile threat – and Japan also wants to develop stand-off missiles to extend their firing range
Japan had been considering two other options for deploying the interceptors offshore to counter the North Korean missile threat – one envisaged refitting private-sector vessels to mount them, and the other option was to use offshore structures similar to oil rigs.
Kishi also said at a Liberal Democratic Party meeting on defence and security issues that Japan plans to develop stand-off missiles that can be launched at targets from locations outside the range of enemy missiles.
To that end, he said Japan wants to extend the firing range of surface-to-ship missiles that it has been developing, with the Defence Ministry seeking to secure an additional budget of about 30 billion yen (US$288 million) for the next financial year starting in April.
LDP lawmakers who attended the meeting endorsed the two plans. The government aims to win cabinet approval for them in mid-December after securing formal support from the ruling party and its junior coalition partner Komeito.
The plan to develop new missiles immediately drew concerns from opposition party lawmakers who have said such a capability for the country would run counter to its war-renouncing constitution and exclusively defence-oriented policy.