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| East Asia |
| Report: Japan Seeks Missile System |
| 2003-08-12 |
| Japan’s Defense Agency, worried about the threat from North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs, hopes to have an anti-missile system in place within three years, a major Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday. That Long-Dong overflight a few years back made the Japanese pay attention, though not the way Kimmie wanted. The agency is expected to increase spending considerably in the coming years for the initial setup costs and high-tech telecommunications systems for the advanced missile defense, the national Asahi newspaper said. The agency will request nearly $1.2 billion next fiscal year. That request will be nearly nine times greater than the $132 million Tokyo spent on missile defense research from 1999 to 2003. $1.2 billion out of a $42 billion defense budget: that’s a big chunk, and percentage wise is the same or a little more than we’re doing on missile defense. Japan has 27 Patriot anti-missile batteries, but they can only down missiles with a shorter range and slower speed than the ballistic missiles North Korea is believed to be developing. One of the those missiles — the Taepodong — was test-launched over Japan’s main island in 1998. The upgraded system would create a two-layer defense system. The first layer uses Aegis-equipped naval destroyers, which have top-of-the-line surveillance systems, to track incoming missiles and intercept them with ship-to-air missiles, Asahi reported. Backup would be provided by an enhanced version of the Patriot PAC2, capable of downing ballistic missiles with a range of 620 miles. In a government report last week, the Defense Agency urged accelerated research on an anti-missile system to protect against possible nuclear and terrorist attacks. It also stressed that North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are one of Japan’s biggest security concerns. Japan’s overall defense budget remains among the world’s largest. In 2003, Japan expects to spend $42 billion on defense, or less than 1 percent of its gross domestic product. Hello, Mr. Hu? Better curb your dog. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #5 In 2003, Japan expects to spend $42 billion on defense, or less than 1 percent of its gross domestic product. If they want to become a player, they're going to have to spend 3-4%, like we do. Right now, they're pretty much using us as a crutch. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2003-8-12 5:11:59 PM |
| #4 Three years? What's the plan until then? Float the rumor that Japan has the plans for a nuclear weapon, and can manufacture one in 30 days, if attacked. Since there are nuclear reactors all over the island chain, I'm sure little Kimmie will be leaving grass stains in his underwear, once he hears that. It's time for Japan to shake off the past, accept its responsibilities for its own defense, and start making some alliances with its sister states in the Far East. I'm sure a mutual defense agreement between Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand would give the Chinese enough heartburn to curb Kim's irrational behavior, especially if the United States joins as an "interested third party". |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-8-12 1:11:32 PM |
| #3 Depend on the present systems and prey. Another argument in favor of space-based missle defense,catch the missles in the boost faze. |
| Posted by: raptor 2003-8-12 8:16:11 AM |
| #2 Hope Washington has its nerve in. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-8-12 7:50:42 AM |
| #1 Threee years? What's the plan until then? |
| Posted by: someone 2003-8-12 12:27:24 AM |