THREATS OF WAR IN ASIA AS JAPAN UPGRADES ITS LONG-RANGE MISSILES

According to the local newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan is considering deploying more than 1,000 long-range cruise missiles to bolster its capacity to tackle China’s mounting regional threats.

In accordance with the publication, which cited unnamed sources, the government intends to enhance its current surface-to-ship missiles to increase their range from 100 kilometres (62 miles) to roughly 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), which would be sufficient to reach North Korea and Chinese coastal regions.

The new missiles, which could attack land-based targets, would also need to be upgraded in order for Japan’s current ships and aircraft to be able to launch them, the newspaper said.

According to Yomiuri, the missiles would be stationed in and around the southwest Kyushu region as well as on the small islands dotting Japan’s western waters close to Taiwan.

Unable to be reached right away for comment, Japanese officials, the newspaper said that the strategy was part of Japan’s effort to close the missile capability gap with China while also countering North Korean threats.

The post-war constitution of Japan does not officially recognize its armed forces, and defence spending is restricted to supporting ostensibly defensive capabilities.

Recent geopolitical issues, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s more assertive behaviour toward Taiwan, have increased calls in Japan for a review of defence spending.

Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan, has promised to considerably increase defence spending, which has been kept at just about 1% of GDP.

The Japanese defence ministry is expected to request 5.5 trillion yen ($40.2 billion) for the upcoming fiscal year, up slightly from the 5.18 trillion asked for the current fiscal year, according to local media.

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported that the ministry was also anticipated to request approval for a list of unpriced goods, including the development cost to modernize the long-range cruise missiles.

Source: AFP