The Asahi Shimbun:

A sea-based alternative to the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system could cost taxpayers at least double the estimate for the now-abandoned land-based system, an internal Defense Ministry document shows.

The ballooning costs have not been revealed to lawmakers, let alone the general public.

“Not only will it not fulfill the role as an alternative system, but the costs will increase sharply while the benefits from installing the system decline,” one government source said. “The general public will likely not be convinced as taxpayers footing the bill.”

Soaring costs were cited as the main reason behind the Defense Ministry’s decision to abandon the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system in June 2020…



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