Japan's Expedited U.S. Missile Purchase Draws North Korean Condemnation

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of Aegis-equipped JS Atago of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force / Source: Ministry of Defence, Japan - Wikimedia Commons 

In a move that has stoked regional tensions, North Korea voiced strong opposition on Monday to Japan's decision to accelerate its procurement of  400 Tomahawk Block-4 cruise missiles from the United States. Labeling it as an "arrogant choice," North Korea warned that this decision could escalate instability in the region.
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara recently revealed that Tokyo plans to expedite its acquisition of the Tomahawk cruise missiles, aiming for a purchase as early as fiscal year 2025, a year ahead of the initial schedule. This announcement came following discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, during a meeting in Washington. Furthermore, Japan is contemplating speeding up the deployment of its domestically produced long-range missiles.
Japan is expected to deploy these missiles beginning in 2026 aboard its Aegis naval destroyers - JS Atago (DDG-177) and JS Ashigara (DDG-178). They will supplement Japan’s indigenous Type 12 surface-to-ship missile, which is currently being upgraded. The improved Type 12 missile systems are expected to be ready by 2026 and can strike sea and land targets up to 1,200 kilometers away, a significant increase from the missile’s original range of 200 kilometers.
North Korea responded swiftly to Japan's decision, denouncing it as an "arrogant choice" with potentially dire consequences for regional security. In an official commentary in English, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) stated that Japan's actions would create new security challenges and heighten tensions, not only on the Korean Peninsula but also throughout the broader region.
The KCNA also criticized the security cooperation agreement reached by the leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan during their summit at Camp David in August. In a bold assertion, the KCNA claimed that Japan's move towards a "war state" was not merely a figment of imagination but a reality. It urged Japan to exercise caution in its actions. It emphasized that North Korea's military forces are closely monitoring every development, intending to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding areas.
This latest development occurs in the context of North Korea's efforts to strengthen its military alliances, particularly with Russia. North Korea has expressed its disapproval of the growing trilateral security cooperation between Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington, likening it to an "Asian version of NATO."
In response to North Korea's condemnation, South Korea's unification ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, defended Japan's actions. The ministry spokesperson, Koo Byoung-sam, argued that North Korea's actions have increased tensions in the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asian region. He pledged a robust response to North Korea's threats through consultation between South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
The dispute highlights the ongoing geopolitical complexities in the region, as Japan, a close ally of the United States, seeks to bolster its military capabilities amid ongoing concerns about North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. On the other hand, North Korea remains critical of any moves that strengthen regional security cooperation, particularly if led by the United States and its allies.
As Japan advances its military posture, the repercussions of this decision on regional stability will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of concern and debate. The fate of diplomatic negotiations and regional stability hinges on the complex interplay of security dynamics in Northeast Asia. With reporting by Yonhap News Agency

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