Japan may begin to consider acquiring the ability to launch a pre-emptive military strike against plans to update its basic defense policy, the latest step away from the constraints of its pacifist constitution.
The proposal is expected that the alarm may sound Chinese, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Shinzo Abe) government's defense policy, possibly as early as Friday, an interim report of the part of the review. The final conclusions of the review is to expire by the end of the year.
The hawkish Abe came to power after a rare second term in December commitment to strengthening military response to Japan as a growing threat to the safety of the environment, including an assertive China and unpredictable North Korea.
Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, after its defeat in World War II, drafted by U.S. occupation forces, renounce war, if literally, rule out the concept of a standing army. In reality, the Japanese Self-Defense Force is one of Asia's strongest army.
Defense will appeal in the interim report of how to "strengthen the capacity to prevent and respond to ballistic missiles", "Yomiuri Shimbun" newspaper and other media said on Thursday.
But in a sign of sensitivity, the report highlighted the imminent threat of attack, the ability to hit the enemy base will stop short, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.
Media reported that the Ministry will also consider buying unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, and the establishment of a Marine Corps units to protect remote islands, such as those in the core of a dispute with China.
"The acquisition of offensive capability will be a fundamental change in our defense policy, a philosophical change, said:" Marushige channel under the National Graduate Institute for Policy Professor.
However, to obtain this ability requires time, money and training, which means that any changes are likely to be true than done. Road, said that: "This is easier said than done."
The updated guidelines, you can also touch Abe's move to enhance the self-imposed ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, or helping an ally under attack, for example, if North Korea launched an attack on the United States.
Defense Review may also urged the new guidelines replace the self-imposed ban on arms exports, has been eased, the Japanese contractors involved in international projects.
What they can sell, you can help the Japanese defense contractors such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. to seek overseas business companies provide clear guidance.
Some experts emphasized that change is evolutionary, rather than a sudden change in Japan's defense posture.
Hardware, cost issues
At MIT, MIT Japan program director Richard Samuels said: "This is the most stringent interpretation of Article IX of the process of edging away from Japan to all parts."
Nevertheless, given the tensions between Japan and China in the disputed islands, Japan's wartime history and frame the narrative, China is likely to react strongly recommended to after Shinzo Abe to consolidate his power with a big win at the weekend Elections for the upper house of parliament.
Headquartered in Washington, Center for Strategic and International Studies Michael Green, said: "No matter how to explain things in Japan, China will attack it quite severe,."
Although China has been a nuclear power for decades, North Korea is developing nuclear weapons, Japan stated that it has no intention to do so.
Supports a more powerful army, grew up in Japan because of concerns about China, but it remained opposed.
Japan Last update its defense Planning Guide "in 2010, the ruling Democratic Party of Japan.
These changes shifted Japan away from defending the northern part of the Cold War legacy of defense capability, can respond to the invasion site row of tiny, uninhabited islands and southern China, with greater flexibility.
Japan has for decades been extended which limits, has long been said that it has ground attack enemy bases overseas enemy attacks Japanese intentions are obvious, this threat is imminent, there is no other defensive options.
However, despite the successive U.S. administrations to avoid the purchase of hardware to do so, Shinzo Abe's Liberal Democratic Party in June urged the Government to consider obtaining this capability.
Just what kind of hardware may be considered is unclear. A huge public debt, Japan may be in any position to afford the bill.
Japan already has a very limited ability to attack its F-2 and F-15 fighter aircraft, tanker and Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kit. Tokyo also plans to buy 42 Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter, in March 2017 by the former four due for delivery.
Road, said that for the ability to hit the Korean mobile missile launcher - most likely targets - will require more attack aircraft, as well as Japan will most likely have to rely on U.S. intelligence capabilities. Cruise missiles may also be considered.
Get our capacity to fight missile bases in mainland China will be a bigger stretch, experts said, need such ICBMs. Road, said that: "It will cost a lot of money, time, training and education, and to take a strong and meaningful acquisition of the ability."
 



Other News:
Japan to mull pre-emptive strike ability in defense update
U.S. got what bargained for in Lance Armstrong, his lawyers say
Tourre on stand says email in SEC case 'not accurate'
Apple's 3Q earnings sag, but top Street estimates
Japan likely to mull pre-emptive strike ability in defence update
Despite promises to talk, new Pakistan PM gets tough on insurgents
Senate approves deal to reverse spike in student loan rates
Marlboro maker Altria 2Q profit up 3 pct