Japan’s ruling party said Wednesday the government should consider developing the capability to strike enemy bases if the country is…
TOKYO —
Japan’s ruling party said Wednesday the government should consider developing the capability to strike enemy bases if the country is attacked, citing North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats.
For years Tokyo has harboured deep suspicion of Pyongyang and seen itself as increasingly vulnerable to its nuclear and missile ambitions.
North Korea conducted two nuclear tests last year and test-fired four ballistic missiles just this month, three of which landed off Japan’s coast.
“North Korea’s provocative acts are reaching levels our country can simply no longer overlook,” a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) security panel said in a proposal to be submitted to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as early as Thursday.
The panel called on the government immediately to study ways to strike enemy bases if attacked, including through the deployment of cruise missiles.
It also urged the government to “immediately consider” if it should introduce the U. S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and shore-based Aegis missile defence systems.
