Japan Could Boost Defense Over N.Korea Launch

Japan will massively increase its military spending after North Korea's abortive satellite launch Sunday. Much as the North's launch of a Taepodong-1 missile in 1998 gave Tokyo justification to build up its missile defense system, so Sunday's rocket launch is likely to cause Japan to boost its missile defense and reinforce its military.
The Japanese invested over 1 trillion yen (W13 trillion) thus far in the missile defense system. It sent two Aegis destroyers equipped with SM3 to the East Sea, and dispatched a surface-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles.

Tokyo apparently feels that North Korea's attempt to launch a satellite has quelled domestic opposition to boosting the missile defense system. The Yomiuri and Asahi Shimbun newspapers on Monday both pointed out that the scope for response of the PAC-3 falls short of effectively defending Japan.

Japan is likely to increase the system's efficiency and introduce more SM3 and PAC-3. The Japanese Defense Ministry is reviewing a plan to introduce an early warning satellite that detects impending missile launches. Tokyo currently relies on information provided by the United States.

Already there is talk about increasing the defense budget, with press reports that North Korea's launch "bolstered the morale of the Self-defense Forces," as the Japanese military is called.

In a poll by the Yomiuri released Monday, 88 percent of respondents said they felt insecure because of North Korea's rocket launch, and 78 percent opted for strong sanctions.
Chosun