Japan Considers Striking Enemy Missile Bases after Scrapping Aegis Ashore

Japan may consider striking enemy bases as a policy option after scrapping a $2.7 Billion deal with the US to set up the Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system on its land.

 “Acquiring weapons that would let Japan strike enemy missile bases was an option Japan will consider," Defence Minister Kono told reporters yesterday. He was responding to questions as to the options before Japan to secure its land against ballistic missile attacks.

The government of Prime Minister Abe started to review its national security policy following the decision to suspend the Aegis Ashore deployment plan. The focal point of the review is said to be whether Japan should possess the ability to strike enemy bases, after Abe recently said that he wants to consider such a possibility as part of discussions on national security, Japan Times reported.

To do that the Japanese government will have to consider a revision to its strategy on national security that was compiled in 2013. The government also plans to modify its 2018 national defense guidelines and medium-term defense buildup program.

Japan already has intensions of developing missile defence systems and deep strike capability. The Ministry of Defence run Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) has laid out plans to develop missiles and missile defence systems to be  realized over  the next  10-20 years.

Japan deveoped second thoughts  for deploying the Aegis Ashore system after the US sought an additional $1.87 Billion to modify the system so that missile debris do not fall over  populated  areas.