Japan’s Military Budget Requests Purchase of Two Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Systems

Based on Japan’s recent military budget proposal I think we can infer that they expect the current peace initiative between North Korea, South Korea, and the United States will not last:

Aegis Ashore Deckhouse

Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking to more than double spending on missile defense, including purchases of costly American arsenals, to defend against North Korean threats.

The record-high 5.3 trillion yen ($47 billion) request for fiscal 2019, approved Friday by the ministry, is up 2.1 percent from last year. The military spending has risen seven consecutive years under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The request related to missile defense rises to 424 billion yen ($3.8 billion) from about 180 billion yen last year. The overall government budget plan is to be submitted for Cabinet and parliamentary approval later this year.

The final budget could still grow because the request leaves out spending to reduce Okinawan communities’ burden of hosting many of 50,000 American troops stationed on the southern island and a relocation cost for some troops to the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

A big chunk would buy a pair of land-based Aegis missile defense systems and a ship-to-air SM-3 Block IIA interceptor with an expanded range and accuracy developed jointly by the U.S. and Japan, as well as upgrading of fighter jets and destroyers to make them compatible with advanced interceptors.  [Stars & Stripes]

You can read more at the link.

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Flyingsword
Flyingsword
6 years ago

Privately I am sure Japan is terrified at the pace commie moon is move to join the two Koreas under the glorious red banner of KJU. Once joined the new commie korea will need an external enemy to focus their people on, naturally that will be Japan. Japan will to be blame for Korea’s separation, Japan will be to blame for the abject poverty the South Koreans will find themselves in after falling under the red banner, Commie korea will have to attack Japan to right the wrongs of the past….damn I should be a propaganda writer.

Smokes
Smokes
6 years ago

Less likely to defend against the near-term DPRK threat and more likely to defend against the long-term PRC one. 😯

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