Japan Deploys PAC-3 Missile Interceptors

Japanese Patriot Advanced Capability 3 missile interceptors arrived this morning at an air force base 25 miles north of Tokyo, Reuters reported (see GSN, Oct. 12, 2006).

This is the first time the Japanese government has deployed its own PAC-3 interceptors, which are intended to counter a missile threat from North Korea.

“We consider it very meaningful to deploy the air defense missiles close to metropolitan Tokyo, which is the center of business and political activities,”  according to a statement from Iruma air base spokesman Kazumasa Echizen.  “We will continue our efforts to be ready for any possible emergencies.”

A group of roughly 50 demonstrators protested the arrival of the PAC-3 systems at Iruma.

“Bringing PAC-3s to places like Iruma makes them the focus of interception strategy and therefore at risk of becoming the target of attack by other countries,” a group said in a statement.

The pace of deployment of air defenses in Japan has increased following North Korea’s 2006 missile launches and nuclear test.

Additional deployments are expected at several bases around Japan in coming years.  The United States has PAC-3 systems at a base on the island of Okinawa, along with ship-based Standard Missile 3 interceptors at Yokosuka, Reuters reported (Takanori Isshiki, Reuters, March 30).

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