NHK:
Japan’s defense minister has stressed the need for a new land-based missile defense system following North Korea’s test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, or SLBM, on Wednesday.
Taro Kono told reporters on Friday that it’s vital that the country introduce the Aegis Ashore system, which is designed to track and intercept incoming missiles.
Kono said Pyongyang possesses a considerable number of ballistic missiles that can reach Japan.
The Japanese government has confirmed it’s likely that the missile North Korea fired on Wednesday was an SLBM with a range of up to 2,500 kilometers.
