The Japan Times
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday indicated his intention to consider acquiring the ability to strike enemy bases before a missile attack is initiated against Japan, but apprehension about taking such a step remains deep-rooted within the nation.
Giving the Self-Defense Forces such capability would be a provision against developments in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, but many issues would need to be addressed before such a plan could be translated into hardware.
Abe apparently touched on the issue of considering possessing the ability to strike enemy bases because the threat presented by North Korea has reached a “new phase,” as Defense Minister Tomomi Inada has said. In 2016, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests and fired 20 or more ballistic missiles.
Under Japan’s current missile defense structure, if Pyongyang were to simultaneously launch multiple missiles, it would be difficult to shoot them all down. Possessing the ability to attack these missiles also seems to indicate a desire to reduce Japan’s reliance on the United States.
The government anticipates an enemy base could be attacked in three different ways — by ballistic missile, cruise missile or an attack by stealth fighter jets…
