Japan to Design Interceptor Nose Cone
September 22, 2005 :: Kyodo :: News
Demonstrating both cooperation with the U.S. and ambitions to pursue missile defenses of its own, Japan will partner with the U.S. to design a nose cone for a ballistic missile interceptor, Kyodo reports, citing close sources. The interceptor at issue is an upgraded version of the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) which is part of the Aegis sea-based defense system, in which Japan and other countries are quite interested. An agreement between the two countries specifying the cooperation is said to be expected soon, possibly by the end of the year. The Japanese technology would subsequently be tested by the U.S. in a joint flight test from Hawaii. (Article, Link)
» August 25, 2005: Japan Times: Japan expected to produce four components for new SM-3
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan May Deploy PAC-3 in March 2006
July 23, 2005 :: Reuters :: News
Japan may begin deploying its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missiles as early as March 2006 to counter the current threat from nearby ballistic missiles, whether from North Korea or China. The original plan was to begin the deployment in late FY 2006-2007—ending in March 2007. The Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun, however, recently cited government sources indicating that Tokyo is considering a sooner deployment due to the increasing missile threat from North Korea and China. The report comes one day after the Japanese parliament approved legislation that would allow a swifter response to ballistic missile attacks. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: Deployment, Japan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japan Approves Bill Authorizing Missile Intercept
July 22, 2005 :: CNN :: News
Japan’s parliament has passed a major piece of legislation giving authority to its defense chief to shoot down incoming missiles. The bill allows the defense chief to act without additional approval of Japan’s prime minister or Cabinet. The bill is significant because Japan’s pacifist postwar constitution renounces the use of force to settle international disputes, which has been interpreted to preclude defensive action against missiles which may or may not be aimed at Japan. In recent years Japan has become increasingly concerned with the ballistic missile threat from North Korea and, along with the U.S., is currently researching a joint sea-based missile defense system. The bill passed both the upper and lower houses, meaning that the legislation will be enacted. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Possible Spread of Defensive Interceptors by Japan
July 15, 2005 :: Kyodo :: News
Japanese-U.S. SM-3 sea-based interceptor missiles could be offered to third countries, reports the Japanese news agency Kyodo. According to General Yoshinori Ono, director of Japan’s Defense Agency, “If there is a request from the United States, it could be possible for those missiles to be provided to third countries under certain circumstances.” Ono’s statement follows Japan’s decision last year to end its decades-old ban on weapons exports. In December 2004, Japan stated that it could export missile parts to the U.S. under “strict controls” for national security, with exports to third countries to be considered on a case-to-case basis. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
U.S. Asks Japan for $545 Million
June 20, 2005 :: AFP :: News
The U.S. has asked Japan to contribute $545 million to the joint Aegis sea-based missile defense system, reports the AFP. The U.S. intends to contribute an equal amount to the project. Some reports indicate, however, that Tokyo finds this sum too high and plans to ask for a reduction in cost. The AFP notes that Japan is attempting to cut its defense spending amid mixed signals on the direction of its economy. (Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan Ready to Move Ahead with Missile Defense
June 7, 2005 :: Washington Times :: News
The Washington Times quotes Yoshinori Ono, chief of Japan’s Defense Agency, as saying that the joint Japanese-U.S. sea-based missile defense program will soon enter the development stage. The program includes the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) interceptor, which will be deployed on Aegis-equipped destroyers and cruisers. The two nations launched the project in 1999 after North Korea tested its long-range Taep’o-dong 1 ballistic missile, which flew over Japan and landed into the Pacific Ocean. The article notes that actual production of the SM-3 is scheduled to begin around 2011. (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
U.S. to Sell Japan SM-2 Interceptors
June 6, 2005 :: Reuters :: News
The Pentagon plans to sell 40 Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) surface-to-air missiles to Japan, reports Reuters. Japan has requested the interceptors for its Maritime Self Defense Force fleet, in order to bolster its defense of critical sea-lanes. According to the Pentagon, “It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Japan to develop and maintain a strong and ready self-defense capability, which will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area.” (Article, Link)
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» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD
Japan Considering Laser Interceptor Cooperation
January 10, 2005 :: News
Japan, which has been ambitiously moving towards a number of missile defense programs, is also considering cooperation with the U.S. on the issue of laser missile interception, reports the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper. The U.S. has reportedly suggested such cooperation to Japan unofficially, which could include the airborne laser program. (Article, Link)
» More stories on: High Energy Defenses, Japan
» Missile system details for: Airborne Laser (ABL)
U.S.-Japan Agreement Signed
December 16, 2004 :: Japan Times :: News
Today the United States signed an agreement with Japan which will allow for extensive missile defense cooperation between the two countries, in the mutual transfer of related technologies. The agreement comes after Japan has relaxed its own ban on arms, which was regarded by some as preventing certain missile defense work. (Article, Link)
» Duncan Currie of Weekly Standard on the U.S.-Japan “special relationship”
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Japan Names China as Threat
December 10, 2004 :: Kyodo :: News
Japan recently released its new defense policy outline, which for the first time names Communist China as a concern and possible threat. North Korea is also so named, but China has reacted violently to their being included—a reaction which, in combination with the facts of China’s ambitious military buildup, confirms the validity of Japan’s defense articulation. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue expressed China’s “strong dissatisfaction” that Japan had officially spoken of the China threat in an official document, and called the accusation “baseless and irresponsible.”
Last month, a Chinese submarine penetrated Japanese waters. (More »»»)
» China reacts to Japanese defense document
» More stories on: Allies, China, Japan
