Japan's Ruling Party Proposes New Weapons To Give The Military The Ability To Directly Strike Targets In Other Countries

Reuters: Pacifist Japan ruling party proposes strike capability to halt missile attacks

TOKYO (Reuters) - Pacifist Japan took a step closer to acquiring weapons able to strike North Korea on Friday after a ruling party committee approved proposals to consider acquiring strike capability to halt ballistic missile attacks.

Giving long-range munitions to Japan’s Self Defence Forces is a controversial issue for a country that renounced the right to wage war after its defeat in World War Two. The proposal is also likely to anger China and Russia, which could fall within range of any new strike weapons.

“Our country needs to consider ways to strengthen deterrence, including having the capability to halt ballistic missile attacks within the territory of our adversaries,” the proposal document said.

The proposals, crafted by senior Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers including former defence minister Itsunori Onodera, will be presented to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as early as next week.

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WNU Editor: This is a major shift in Japanese defense policy. One can also argue that Japan wants to have a first strike capability .... to target and destroy installations that Japan fears will be used against them.

More News On Japan's Ruling Party Proposing New Weapons To Give The Military The Ability To Directly Strike Targets In Other Countries

Japan's ruling party broadens vision for defensive strike option -- Nikkei Asia Review
Japan Edges Toward Military Pre-Emptive Strike Option -- WSJ
North Korea on ALERT: Pacifist Japan takes step closer to acquiring weapons able to strike -- Express
Strike capability in enemy territory proposed for Japan -- The Telegraph