Posted on 08/14/2016 7:44:33 PM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Japan's decision to develop surface-to-sea missiles with a range of 300 kilometers to cover the disputed islands shows the country may be eyeing a shift to an offensive posture, analysts said.
The Japanese government has decided to develop the missiles to "protect the nation's isolated islands," including the disputed Diaoyu Islands, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.
Development costs will be part of the Defense Ministry's budget request for the fiscal year ending March 2018, and the weapons are set to be deployed on islands, such as Miyako, in Japan's southernmost Okinawa prefecture by 2023.
"Japan is trying to use the missile system to lock down the Miyako Strait and prevent Chinese forces from entering the Western Pacific Ocean," Zhou Yongsheng, a professor at the Institute of International Relations of China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
He said if the reported 300-kilometer range is true, it would mean Japan is ready for a hard fight. "The range is higher than that of Russia's S-300 surface-to-air missile system, and better than China's current surface-to-air missile system," Zhou said.
Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian studies at the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, said the 300-kilometer range missiles could target China's coastal areas.
"If China launches a strategic weapon or if a ship departs from China's coastal areas in Zhejiang Province, they would be within the missiles' range," he told the Global Times.
Da said the missiles are similar to South Korea's recent deployment of the THAAD system, as both would spark a regional arms race.
"Though Japan claims it is for defense purposes, the missiles increase Japan's capability to shift from a defensive to an offensive posture," Da said.
State broadcaster NHK reported Japan's Defense Ministry is inclined to hasten efforts to deploy a THAAD battery in the wake of North Korea's recent missile launches.
G20 factor
On Saturday, a Japanese government source said Chinese fighter jets have been approaching the Diaoyu Islands since May, Japanese media reported.
In response, Tokyo scrambled Air Self-Defense Force fighter jets, the source said, calling such moves by Chinese aircraft "abnormal." Chinese warplanes have flown near the islets more than three times since late May, the source said.
Earlier this month, 230 Chinese fishing boats and a dozen China Coast Guard vessels were spotted near the Diaoyu Islands, according to Kyodo News.
Zhou said China's recent activities near the Diaoyu Islands are part of efforts to counter Japan's meddling in the South China Sea issue.
Last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida met his Philippine counterpart Perfecto Yasay in the southern Philippine city of Davao, where both pledged to work closely to boost maritime security while facing separate sea disputes with China, AFP reported.
Kishida's visit to Manila shows that Japan is encouraging the Philippine government to pursue the former administration's policy against China, while spreading the misleading message that China has no intention to repair its souring relationship with Japan, experts said.
The friction comes ahead of next month's Group of 20 summit in China, where there has been talk of a potential meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Zhou said the G20 summit might temporarily ease tensions between the two countries.
This year's trilateral summit between China, Japan and South Korea, expected to be held in November, will also be an opportunity for the three countries to mend their ties, Zhou said.
“A screwdriver away from nuclear armed”
If they really want to mess with China they should sell these missiles to Taiwan.
Japan is late to the game if they are just starting development.
Power to them. It is time for us to make like a tree and leave!! Good luck !! Adios.
Um, I seriously doubt that Japan does not already have such missiles. This looks to me like a political statement. The funds will likely be allocated to more advanced weaponry.
Let’s not forget the militarization of a “gas exploration platform” the Chicoms put up just northwest of those islands. The Japanese confirmed that there was at least a military radar station on it although they couldn’t say what it was connected to.
You mean Sayonara!
I guess it would be in very bad taste to name this missile “The Nanking Special.”
Some experts believe were the PRC to take and hold any of the Senkaku Islands they would also have to take Okinawa, too.
Starting? These are the people who invented Transformers. Defensive weapons can be tricked out to be offensive weapons in 5 minutes with off the shelf components - already developed and on a shelf.
Japan has had a space program launching planetary exploration packages for some time. The largest issue with using rocketry for strategic military purposes is downsizing a payload to available launch technology.
Keep in mind that Japan had in it’s possession +331 kilograms weapons grade plutonium on loan from the US until this past May. Nikki Haley had a cow that the material was shipped to the Savannah facility.
They have over 10 tonnes of at least reactor grade in country, and additional amounts totaling ~38 tonnes at various reprocessing operations out of country. What research could they have possibly been doing requiring weapons grade material in their possession for decades?
They just call them drones now.
[ Think of all them Japanese women! ]
You calling me a Lesbian? Thems fightin’ words....
:)
I am a gal that hangs out with the guys though, so who knows :P
but I am not the same sexual orientation as Hillary.
If Japan could detonate a nuke in August 1945 while being
pounded by B29s then it is likely they could produce them now.
A lot to consider.
President Obama, Nobel Peace Laureate, and Weapons Salesman of the Century. Who would ever have predicted that a mushy headed sentimentalist would make such a persuasive weapons salesman? Haven’t seen an arms race like this since the 1930’s.
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