TOKYO: Japan is considering the deployment of 1, 000 long-range cruise missiles to boost its counterattack capability against China, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Weekend (Aug 21).
The missiles would be existing arms modified to extend their particular range from 100km to at least one, 000km, the every day said, citing authorities sources.
The arms, launched by ships or aircraft, would be stationed generally around the southern Nansei islands and effective at reaching the seaside areas of North Korea and China, the Yomiuri said.
Representatives from Japan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the particular report.
The japanese, which interprets its war-renouncing postwar constitution to mean it may use its army only for self-defense, offers stepped up its military spending and taken a far more assertive strategy in recent years.
But it offers refrained from implementing long-range missiles, amongst its limits on weapons that can hit targets on international soil.
Regional tensions ratcheted upward this month following a visit by Nancy Pelosi , speaker of the United States House of Associates, to Taiwan, that is self-ruled but stated by China.
Beijing launched missiles close to Taiwan and into Japan’s exclusive economic zone.