Japan approves missile defense system amid N. Korea threat

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, Japan Air Self-Defense Force demonstrates a training to utilize the PAC-3 surface to air interceptors at the U.S. Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo. Japan’s Cabinet approved a plan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, to purchase a set of costly land-based missile combat system from the U.S. to step up Japanese missile defense capability amid escalating threat from North Korea. The decision would allow the Defense Ministry to buy a set of two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan’s current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) — FILE – In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, Japan Air Self-Defense Force demonstrates a training to utilize the PAC-3 surface to air interceptors at the U.S. Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo. Japan’s Cabinet approved a plan Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, to purchase a set of costly land-based missile combat system from the U.S. to step up Japanese missile defense capability amid escalating threat from North Korea. The decision would allow the Defense Ministry to buy a set of two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan’s current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

December 18, 2017 at 7:52 pm

By MARI YAMAGUCHI

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Cabinet on Tuesday approved a plan to purchase a set of costly land-based U.S. missile combat systems to increase the country’s defense capabilities amid escalating threats from North Korea.

The approval will allow the Defense Ministry to buy two Aegis Ashore systems to add to Japan’s current two-step missile defense consisting of Patriot batteries and Aegis-equipped destroyers.

“North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has become a greater and more imminent threat for Japan’s national security, and we need to drastically improve our ballistic missile defense capability to protect Japan continuously and sustainably,” a statement issued by the Cabinet said.

The purchase will add to growing defense costs in Japan as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government pushes to allow the military a greater international role and boost its missile combat capability.

Defense officials say two Aegis Ashore units can cover Japan entirely and would cost around 200 billion yen ($1.8 billion), though they have not released exact figures. The deployment is planned for 2023.

Abe has said he fully backs U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy of keeping all options on the table, including possible military actions, against the North. Abe has vowed to bolster Japan’s security cooperation and increase use of advanced U.S. missile defense equipment.

Defense officials declined to give details about potential sites for Aegis Ashore deployment, while Japanese reports cited Self-Defense Force bases in Akita, northern Japan, and Yamaguchi, in southwestern Japan.

Defense officials said they chose Aegis Ashore over an option of Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, because of its cheaper cost and versatility. Typically, a THAAD setup comes with 48 missiles and 9 mobile launch pads, priced about $1.1 billion, and Japan would need at least six of those to defend the country, officials said.

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