Japan vows to boost missile defense after North Korea parade

Good, let's hope Japan carries through with this.

This news will no doubt disappoint the usual diehard Korea supporters here.

Let's hope Japan and North Korea, countries which are similar in race, both with ancient cultural ties to China, will work together for a mutual peace.

Jtsnose said "Let's hope Japan and North Korea, countries which are similar in race, both with ancient cultural ties to China, will work together for a mutual peace."

Totally, 100%, agreed.

The stupid Abe and his cronyism govt must resign.

The only right way is peaceful way. Never hype again.

Both China and Russia can use North Korea in whatever ways they want.

There isn’t a defense against an attack using powerful weapons, only the prospect of a counter attack which prevents an initial offensive.

Any funding for a defense is a waste.

Good for Japan. With North Korea getting more powerful by the day, and with this new ICBM, it is right for Japan to increase military spending. It would be nice if other nations also stepped up and expanded their militaries in the region to help deal with the real threat of a strong, rising NK.

as you know Taiwan isn't democratic

It is the only China that IS democratic. The mainland is single party and zero democracy.

North Korean missiles threaten a large sphere on the planet now so it is concerning to many countries, not just Japan. Defending against such missiles is literally hit and miss. Some you can stop and others will get through no matter how much defense you have. All you can really do is be strong enough to deter any initial attack with the ability to do even more damage to them if they try. Not always practical or possible.

No easy answer to this growing problem.

American people will not defend Japan, American will not defend their country against a Kim loving Trump,if Japan is attacked, the first people bail on you Japanese is American

hopefully Japan will consider Aegis ashore which is currently the only moderately reliable area defense.

Not very likely that NK is going to bomb Japan. But better safe than sorry plus military industrial complex will love the spending on these missiles

I do not see any weight on all those tires! Most probably that ICBM is made of cardboard LOL

I do not see any weight on all those tires! Most probably that ICBM is made of cardboard LOL

No fuel load and dummy warhead for the parade. Not even NK is dumb enough to design and build a truck that big for a cardboard rocket.

That's Thunderbird 1 isn't it??

Kim needs the money so he’s displaying the new toys to the public.

Every time North Korea has a parade like this, US defense industry contractors rub their greedy hands together in glee. KA-ching!

Why the builders of such destruction that combined can literally blow the planet up and end life in this entire universe is beyond me. Instead the human race should put its efforts into creating and building unexplored challenges within the earth and space. But if that isn't good enough then seek to build a better model of humanity within itself and end the greed and obsession to have more money. If you really need over 1 billion dollars to eat, drink and sleep at night, then something is terribly wrong as the world provides what every human on it needs. Greed and the need for more plus weapons like these get us no where closer to humanity but rather push us against each other.

Only thing Japan can do is "defense" against the possible attacks by foreign countries. I am tire of hearing "defense" a passive word. Changing the peace constitution is first we have to do.

There's no way that any missile defence systems are going to shields Japan from the Korean missile threats with a hundred percent efficiency. The only way out for Japan here is to abolish the no longer relevant Article 9 of the American-imposed constitution to enable Japan to legally develop its own strike capability as a tit-for-tat detterence.

And we all know what happened when Japan last went on the offensive, don't we...

If Japan ever got a decent missile defence system, that worked reliably, who would authorise its use for a shootdown? By the time the oyajis in Kasumigaseki had made a decision, there would be a big hole in the ground where it had landed hours ago.

As we all know in sports and games, they all have defense and offence. There is no sports limited to either defense or offence. It is useless.

The only way out for Japan here is to abolish the no longer relevant Article 9 of the American-imposed constitution to enable Japan to legally develop its own strike capability as a tit-for-tat detterence.

Excellently argued, Baxter. PM Suga simply must finish off the work of Abe, and bin that awful Article 9. Japan should have the ability and legal standing to strike at her enemies - and there are a few in the region, lets be honest - before being attacked herself. It's what Israel and the US do effectively, so should Japan.

Oh yes, more weapons. That's just what the world needs. Weapons are evolving, how about humans?

Like that old Monty Python skit:

I shake my fist at thee angrily.

Unfortunately, peaceful behavior doesn’t work with China or Russia. Japan should go nuclear and treat NK as part of China. I.e. attack both if NK tries anything. Japan also should agree with Mongolia to allow them to send on their territory their test ballistics over China every time NK does this above Japan.

Is t it about time the LDP got off its backside and started a meaningful dialogue with North Korea.

Japan has already accomplished dialogue, trade and tourism with a previously occupied China.

Sitting around a table and talking is preferable to wasting tax payers money on armaments, any day!

It looks like a lovely wooden parade float.

Why is it they can send their tests towards Japan and not towards China? Be fair.

Why is it they can send their tests towards Japan and not towards China? Be fair.

Dimwit. They go into space, that’s why they are called ICBMs. Japan is not in space, it is on a planet called Earth. They are called “tests” because they have to make sure no accidents happen and innocent people are not hurt. And Mr dimwit, are you really suggesting testing nuclear weapons over a country of 1,400,000 people as opposed to an ocean full of floating plastic rubbish?

hopefully Japan will consider Aegis ashore which is currently the only moderately reliable area defense.

Oh really? The Aegis is capable of destroying 3 missiles at one time. The biggest joke was when NK fired 4 test missiles simultaneously.

your use of ONLY seems to forget about the S-300, S-400 and S-500 missile defense systems capable of preventing 12 missile attacks simultaneously. Also effective against drones.

BTW, one Aegis missile costs $1m or so. Or is that a Tomohawk?

By its very definition, an ICBM is intercontinental in nature. Not designed to target Japan, but for targets in other continents.

Japan has faced the same tactical missile threat for decades. An ICBM program does not add to that threat in an significant way.

The deeper issue is why North Korea is developing ICBMs in the first place. Since the perceived enemy is thousands of miles away across the Pacific, the ICBM program is a self defensive program. Not one of conquer and occupy.

Japan needs to stay out of it. Before it inflames the whole situation further and ends up becoming an bigger target for proven existing low range missiles.

Vassal states are expendable. And that’s all Japan is in this story.

My missile is bigger than your missile.

No fuel load and dummy warhead for the parade. Not even NK is dumb enough to design and build a truck that big for a cardboard rocket.

North Korean didn't design nor build the truck It's most likely a modified Chinese WS51200 transport launcher which was also used for the H-15 missile. The picture appears to show a new H-16 which is based on the H-15.

I'm not saying that it's not a threat, But before vowing to spend more military $, the Japanese gov't would be better off analyzing if it's any kind of an upgrade over the H-15 which has been 'in service' for several years now. North Korea has a reputation for sabre-rattling often with inferior, faulty equipment. If the current Japanese missile defense system was deemed suitable for defending against the H-15, it's more prudent to see if the H-16 actually merits more defense spending, not just have a knee-jerk reaction and vow to react.

This news will no doubt disappoint the usual diehard Korea supporters here.

hold on I though Trump had things sorted with BFF Kim? seems like Korea still got its nukes and missiles after all, I dont support Kim, Im just anti BS

Oh really? The Aegis is capable of destroying 3 missiles at one time. The biggest joke was when NK fired 4 test missiles simultaneously.

Each radar panel used in the Aegis system can track many hundred targets and can coordinate over 100 simultaneous intercepts. Just one of the four SPY-1 or SPY-6 radars has this capability. There are four such panels and their field of view overlaps for 360 degree coverage. Aegis was designed to defeat massive stream raids of Soviet anti ship missiles, where the Soviets were going to shoot literally hundreds of missiles at a carrier strike group from different points on the compass, launching missiles from subs in one direction, surface ships in another direction and from long range bombers from a third direction, hoping to saturate US Navy defenses. Aegis combined with the E-2 Hawkeye can defeat attacks like that. Most Aegis equipped destroyers or cruisers have between 96 and 122 VLS cells capable of carrying SM-3s and other weapons. These ships can launch a missile from a VLS tube every second, meaning a DDG could fire every cell in a minute and a half and Aegis can easily handle that number of simultaneous intercepts. A ship usually won't have an SM-3 in every VLS cell but that would be their maximum load out. Some VLS cells will carry other weapons for the ship's self defense while on BMD patrol. A land ( or barge?) based Aegis Ashore will probably have something less than 96 SM-3 missiles but there is no reason other than the cost of the missiles not to do so. Aegis can track and generate targeting data for hundreds of simultaneous intercepts. North Korea doesn't have enough warheads to mount on missiles like this new ICBM to saturate two Aegis Ashore facilities. China might but not North Korea. That is the great strength of the Aegis system and it's high powered radars. US forces in South Korea would shoot quite a few down with THAAD, thinning the herd some on the way. One or two hitting Japan would be horrible in human terms but would not be enough to cripple the nation. North Korean military planners would have to take all of that into consideration before mounting an attack. Some will say the Chinese and North Koreans think they only have to get one warhead on a big US city for the US to fold their cards and leave the game. If that it the case they are badly mistaken.

The US do what it did in Iraq,leave Japan smothering from the ashes, the Americans people have no interest in protecting Japanese ,US is moving toward a progressive movement, and will not support a right wing Japanese government, even Japanese that hold power in America, reject imperial Japanese,this should be a warning to Japan you are on your own

,this should be a warning to Japan you are on your own

Chinese strategy 101. Break up allies and then deal with each nation one on one where they believe against all but America, that they have the advantage.

Only a simpleton would fall for that Chinese tactic. Try again.

Kim's ICBMs are the deterence against threat from the US, thanks to America's strange logic: when you don't have WMD, you are a grave threat and must be taken out; When you actually do, you get to have photo ops with the Potus

at this parade, jong un didn't look/sound like his normal self - definitely looks like a body double:

https://youtu.be/2wGpxn5giOM?t=66

NK is going to collapse if the people find out that their beloved leader is dead or dying...

@Desert Turtoise Nice detailed contribution, your comment. The problem seems to be having the capabilities for outnumbering the other side. That means , there is no easy solution. Of course, the Aegis systems etc. can intercept those 60 to 100 atomic warhead missiles from NK. But on the other side they could send 10000 missiles with only 60 to 100 real dangerous ones, that all had to be intercepted, because you don’t know which one. That will bring also your optimistic version quickly near to the garbage can. lol

North Korea is really just a cloaked province of China. The Kim family exists because China allows it.

https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/10683.jpeg

The US simply has to live with that fact. And that’s probably why NK now has ICBMs pointing that way.

Japan needs to be careful with swallowing the US bs on the matter. And understand more carefully that orbits change along with power structures.

It also displayed what was likely an upgraded version of a missile that can be fired from submarines.

Why worry their submarines can not hide they are too noisy, they will be taken out before they can launch a missile

What are these people thinking, world War 3 ???.

Public LM Aegis marketing video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMUfDCrxR2U

Japan vows to boost missile defense after North Korea parade

Making policy decisions based a North Korean theater show? Completely ridiculous.

@Desert Turtoise Nice detailed contribution, your comment. The problem seems to be having the capabilities for outnumbering the other side. That means , there is no easy solution. Of course, the Aegis systems etc. can intercept those 60 to 100 atomic warhead missiles from NK. But on the other side they could send 10000 missiles with only 60 to 100 real dangerous ones, that all had to be intercepted, because you don’t know which one. That will bring also your optimistic version quickly near to the garbage can. lol

Aegis and SM=3 have been tested against targets with decoys multiple times. It is able to reject decoys and hit the incoming missile. The tests are public knowledge btw though you will never know how decoy rejection is achieved. You can get a hint however with a careful search of Patentstorm where some decoy rejection technologies are hinted at in patent applications.

Making policy decisions based a North Korean theater show? Completely ridiculous.

I suggest you become a regular reader of a website called 38north.org . In this site you will find detailed analysis of military, political and economic events in North Korea. Reading this site you discover that much of what you read in the popular press about North Korea is poorly informed. There is more logic to their behavior than many in the blogosphere would like to admit. They are not nuts.

Why worry their submarines can not hide they are too noisy, they will be taken out before they can launch a missile.

If that sub hangs out in coastal shallows of the Yellow Sea near to the North Korean / Chinese border it won't be easy to find and sink. The upper ends of the Yellow Sea are almost a Chinese lake. Tough to operate so close to China without detection. The Norks would be well aware of any US or South Korean naval forces looking for that sub. It would be like trying to sink a US Navy SSBN in the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Btw, while operating on their diesel engines the boat would be noisy but if it has any kind of AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) system it could hang out submerged near the bottom of a shallow sea and be very difficult indeed to find.

Japan vows

Come on, cut the hyperbole!

"In order to respond to threats that are diversifying and complex, we will firmly work to strengthen our comprehensive missile deterrence capability"

Hardly a vow.

Interesting discussion of the missile and the new SLBM on 38north.org . Apparently the new ICBM is liquid fueled. Most modern ICBMs use solid fuel rockets. Solid fuel rockets can be stored for many years, even decades, and fired more or less as soon as the decision is made. A liquid fueled missile has to be upright in the launch position and then the fuel and oxidizer (usually separate liquids that are mixed in the combustion chamber) pumped into the rockets fuel tanks. That implies this missile will require much time and a large contingent of ground support trucks and tankers that will have to be loaded immediately before the missile is launched. That time consuming process is detectable and could be used to warn South Korea, US and Japanese authorities an attack is imminent. It also leaves the missile vulnerable to a pre-emptive attack during the pre-launch preparations if the US and South Korea were convinced the Norks were seriously about to attack.

Desert Tortoise

Interesting discussion of the missile and the new SLBM on 38north.org . Apparently the new ICBM is liquid fueled. (snip)

Interestint, but also completely pointless. Whatever NK has there, reglardless if an acutal military gadget or a theater production, is for political purpose and not for actual use, which would be insane (which, as you yourself admit, the NK leadership is not).

Seems to once again, the America predeliction for technofixesw shines through. Instead of discussing political aims and psychology, they ravel in discussing gadgets and their use.

Interestint, but also completely pointless. Whatever NK has there, reglardless if an acutal military gadget or a theater production, is for political purpose and not for actual use

Only a naive person l believes the Norks would not attack South Korea if the Norks perceived a reasonable chance of success. Having nuclear weapons increases their chance of success while deterring the US from attacking them. The US has resisted the urge to retaliate against the Norks over the years fearing what the Norks could do to the south in terms of horrible civilian casualties. The Norks having nukes and a credible means to use them makes that deterrence stronger. You seem to have forgotten who started the Korean war and which army came in behind the Norks to defend them when UN forces started to gain the upper hand. Only the next time they will start launching their nukes if their backs are to the wall. From the North Korean perspective building up a nuclear arsenal and the necessary delivery vehicles is entirely rational.