Japan plans to invest about five trillion yen (35 billion euros) in the development of long-range missiles over the next five years, Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported, citing government sources. The decision was said to have been motivated by the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile weapons program and China’s military buildup.
Japan wants to be able to take out enemy missiles before they are launched. To this end, so-called ‘counterattack weapons’, actually offensive weapons, must be included for the first time in the National Security Strategy, which has so far focused exclusively on defense. The acquisition of assault weapons is controversial in Japan, due to its postwar pacifist constitution. According to previous media reports, Japan is also considering buying cruise missiles from the United States.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s ruling party wants Japan’s defense spending to increase to at least 2 percent of gross domestic product over the next five years, in line with that of NATO member states. This is equivalent to nearly doubling current defense spending.
Source: BNR
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