U.S. Wants Japan to Boost Missile Defense Policy

The United States has urged Japan to make a greater political commitment to the two nations’ joint missile defense efforts, the Associated Press reported today (see GSN, Oct. 12).

Japan has decided to purchase U.S.-developed missile interceptors, but Washington would like to see Japan demonstrate a greater willingness to use those defenses, according to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer.

Japan’s pacifist constitution could restrict it from engaging missiles that are not targeted at Japanese territory, AP reported.

“The United States would like an answer to whether (Japan) would shoot down that missile,” Schieffer told reporters today.  “Japan’s answer will be critical to the future of the alliance” (Hiroko Tabuchi, Associated Press/International Herald Tribune, Oct. 27).

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