Japan to beef up missile system against N Korea

TOKYO: Japan’s government on Tuesday approved the introduction of the US military’s land-based Aegis missile interceptor system, beefing up its defence against "serious" and "imminent" North Korea threats.

The regime in Pyongyang has fired two missiles over Japan this year and has threatened to "sink" the country into the sea.

Last month, North Korea test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that plunged into the waters of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

"North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has entered a new stage of threat that is more serious and imminent to our country’s security," the government said as it endorsed the introduction of Aegis Ashore at a cabinet meeting.

Japan needs to drastically improve its missile defence, Tokyo added.

Speaking on Tuesday at a lecture hosted by Jiji Press, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to take a hard look at whether Japan’s defence capability is sufficient to protect its people.

"While keeping our defence-only policy as the basic premise, I will examine what our defence capability should truly be like while facing up to the severe reality for our country," he said.

Abe argued that the UN sanctions on Pyongyang must be taking effect now and dismissed the view that too much pressure could trigger an "explosion" of violence. Abe also sought cooperation from China to solve the problem.