Global Security Newswire

Following North Korea's suspected missile test in April and its nuclear blast yesterday, Japanese lawmakers could consider first-strike capabilities as a way guarding against attacks from its antagonist, Kyodo News reported (see GSN, May 15).

"Japan should have the ability to strike enemy bases within the scope of its defense-oriented policy, in order not to sit and wait for death," according to a draft proposal from a subcommittee of the defense panel of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

The panel also plans to recommend establishing a satellite system to provide early warning of incoming missiles (Kyodo News I/Japan Today, May 24).

Speaking today in support of the first-strike proposal, former Defense Agency head Gen Nakatani warned that North Korea might soon be able to target Japanese cities with its warheads.

"If (the North) succeeds in nuclear miniaturization, its (nuclear-tipped) missiles would be able to hit mainland Japan," Nakatani said. "That would pose a grave and realistic threat to the security of our country. Therefore, we have no choice but to consider switching from the existing passive missile defense to an active missile defense where launch targets on enemy ground can be directly attacked."

However, former ruling-party vice president Taku Tamasaki urged a cautious tack on North Korea, suggesting that Tokyo collaborate with regional powers China and Russia to push a U.N. Security Council resolution.

He remained noncommittal on the question of first-strike, indicating that any decisions should be made during the process of formulating the new National Defense Program Guidelines, which are due by the end of the year (Kyodo News II/Breitbart.com, May 26.)