Saturday, Dec 20, 2003
Japan to deploy missile defence system
By P. S. Suryanarayana
SINGAPORE DEC. 19. Japan today decided to deploy a ballistic missile defence (BMD) system in a posture that would have "no threatening implications for the neighbouring countries and areas." Although the exact timing of the installation of the BMD system was not announced, the Japanese Government said that "the details of the introduction will be decided by the end of next year."
The "multi-layer defence system" would consist of " the Aegis BMD system and the Patriot PAC-3," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, implying thereby that the U.S. know-how and equipment would provide the motive force for this new strategic venture.
The objective, it was said, was to "defend Japan and its people and property from any ballistic missile attack." Although Tokyo did not specifically mention the perceived threat(s) from any country or non-state actor, regional diplomats and analysts cited Japan's perceptions of threat(s) from North Korea as the most likely justification in terms of the public diplomacy of Junichiro Koizumi's Government. Asserting that the proposed BMD system "is purely defensive" in its conception and configuration, Japan maintained that there would be "no ill-effect on the stability in the Asia Pacific] region." Japan, it was affirmed, "will actively explain these points to acquire (or obtain) international understanding of this decision whenever necessary." Outlining the logistical and strategic reasoning behind the BMD move, the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo said that "Japan has been conducting technological research .... with the U.S. and has come to the conclusion that it is desirable to introduce the system for the purpose of both enhancing peace and security of the nation and strengthening the Japan-U.S. security alliance." It was not spelt out whether the prospective BMD system would constitute the first step towards, or remain independent of, the proposed U.S.-sponsored theatre missile defence system, which has already drawn flak from China, in particular, in the Asia Pacific region.
Coinciding with the BMD move, the Japanese Government indicated that it was planning to down-size the front-line armaments of the country's Self-Defence Forces (SDF) or the military establishment. However, Tokyo's latest BMD move is seen in the region as a strategic sequel to the recent decision to send Japanese troops to Iraq, albeit on a `non-combat' mission of `reconstruction' activities there.
Advance team for Iraq
The Japanese Defence Agency Director General, Shigeru Ishiba, said at a press conference in Tokyo that an advance team from the air-wing of the SDF would be sent to Iraq on or after December 26. This would mark the first step towards the eventual deployment of contingents from all three wings of the SDF in the West Asian country during a period of one-year from this month. The advance team is expected to assess the latest security situation inside Iraq as also the role that Japan's air units could play.
No firm decision has yet been made about the exact timing of the deployment of Japan's ground troops in Iraq — the first ever such deployment in a combat zone since the end of the Second World War.
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