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Japan completed deploying a ballistic missile defense system in the Tokyo area on Saturday, a day after North Korea reportedly fired short-range missiles off its west coast, news reports said. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air interceptors were installed at a Japanese groundforce base in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The latest installation is the last of four PAC-3 sets deployed around Tokyo to protect the capital region. The system at the Kasumigaura base, 75 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, includes five launchers, a special vehicle equipped with radar and another that serves as a control station.
PAC-3 systems were previously installed at three other bases near Tokyo, including Japan's largest naval base in Yokosuka, the homeport of the U.S. Seventh Fleet.
Following Pyongyang's reported missile launches on Friday, the defense ministry said it does not believe that "there is an emergency significantly affecting the country's national security."
The ministry plans to deploy the US-developed PAC-3s at a total of 11 bases in eastern and western Japan by March 2011.
Japan and the United States started working on a more advanced missile shield after North Korea fired a missile over Japan's main island in 1998.
Japan has been repairing relations with China but has also voiced concern about Beijing's rapidly growing military spending, including advances in its cruise missiles and air strike capabilities.
In December, Japan succeeded in shooting down a ballistic missile in space high above the Pacific Ocean as part of joint efforts with the United States to build a shield against a possible North Korean attack.
© Wire reports
10 Comments
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rjd_jr
This is a good idea. The threat to Japan must be neutralized.
ancientone
Its always a good idea to be sure you can protect yourself, if you ever need to. Its a sad fact, but necessary.
japanyesterday
The US military been here for years waiting for this "threat" to make a serious attack and quit playing games.
outhousejt
This is a waste of money.
mummet
yes and im sure itll work just fine not like Japan to hype their own capabilities or fudge data or take short cuts for the sake of kick backs or to implement a system wrong or build things in the wrong place like fault lines.
if it ever had to be used im pretty sure it wont work
mummet
oh also there is no threat to japan by any country in the world
mareo2
Yeap... these only for intercept the missiles going to the US. We are pacifists, the one bullying people is the US.
Shumatsu_Samurai
mummet
So I suppose test-firing missiles over Japan was a sign of friendship by North Korea? Pyongyang regularly threatens Japan, so it's good that Tokyo has responded by ensuring any such pressure is useless.
By the way, given that the Patriot-3 is a US system it would be possible for Japan to hype its capabilities even if it wanted to - the data is already out there.
mareo2
Nah... Kim just get pised of for stupid things and like to launch some rockets from time to time, everyone knows that the US can crush NK just by pushing some butons. The US cant afford a conventional war, but one with missiles is diferent game.
Sarge
"there is no threat to japan by any country in the world"
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!