LDP proposes Japan obtain ability to hit enemy's missile launch sites

TOKYO, June 9 Kyodo - Defense policy-making panels of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday proposed that Japan acquire the capacity to strike an enemy's missile launch sites as part of its defensive capabilities under the country's new National Defense Program Guidelines.

The controversial proposal comes against the backdrop of growing calls among
some LDP lawmakers for a more potent missile defense following North Korea's
rocket launch, which Japan sees as a cover to test its ballistic missile
technology, and its nuclear test during the past few months.
The LDP will submit this and other recommendations to Prime Minister Taro Aso
soon in the hope that they will be reflected in the guidelines the Cabinet is
to approve in December, according to party officials.
It remains unclear, however, if the proposal will make it into the guidelines
given strong reservations among some government officials and lawmakers, who
say the idea could be taken by other countries as suggesting Japan is headed
toward ditching its long-held defense-only posture under its peaceful
Constitution.
The 21-page paper, jointly approved by the three defense-related panels of the
party's Policy Research Council, notes that while Japan maintains a ballistic
missile shield within the framework of the Japan-U.S. alliance, it currently
relies on the United States for attack capability.
Given the need to improve the potency of its missile defense and cope with
''progress in the technology to miniaturize nuclear warheads,'' the paper says,
''Japan should acquire on its own an ability to attack an enemy's missile
launch sites.''
It notes, however, that Japan should do so within its defense-only posture and
by sorting out the proper roles for Japan and the United States to play as
allies.
The paper specifically declares that Japan ''will not launch preventive,
preemptive attacks'' -- a reference inserted after several panel members
insisted that it be clearly stated to avoid misunderstanding.
On what kind of weaponry Japan should possess, the paper suggests acquiring
sea-launched cruise missiles or ''ballistic-type long-range solid-fuel
rockets'' that would work in tandem with image-gathering and communications
satellites.
Mindful of concerns that the proposal could conflict with Japan's
war-renouncing Constitution and alarm its neighbors, the paper declares that
Japan will hold fast to its defensive posture and not become a military
superpower or abandon its three non-nuclear principles.
The principles mean not producing, not possessing and not allowing the entry of
nuclear weapons into Japan.
Although Japan maintains a defense-only posture, the government takes the view
that the country can strike an enemy's military base if a hostile missile
attack appears certain.
On Tuesday, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada reiterated his reluctance to
acquire an attack capability, saying that putting the idea into practice could
invite a negative response from an adversary.
''It's natural to be cautious if you think about what would come afterward in
the event that we could simply attack an enemy base,'' Hamada told reporters.
''It's easy for anyone to imagine what would come if we launched an attack.''
Also at Tuesday's panel meeting, several lawmakers expressed their reservations
about the proposal. One lawmaker said it would end up sparking difficult
relations with other countries, while another warned that with this kind of
policy Japan might go down the militaristic road again.
Other recommendations made in the paper include developing an early warning
satellite to detect ballistic missile launchings and changing the government's
position on not exercising the country's right to collective defense to enable
Japan to intercept ballistic missiles heading toward the United States.
The panels also called for a reversal in the government's policy of reducing
the size of its defense personnel and budget, saying Japan's Self-Defense
Forces need to cope adequately with the new security environment that Japan
will face in the coming years.