Abe Decides on Direction to Acquire 'Enemy Base Attack Capability' Before Leaving Office

Missile Interception System 'Aegis Ashore'
Alternative Solutions Expected to Be Presented

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young]Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has reportedly solidified his intention to decide on the direction regarding the possession of 'enemy base strike capability' during his remaining term, Kyodo News reported on the 31st.

The news agency cited multiple Japanese government officials in its report. According to Kyodo, Prime Minister Abe is expected to hold a National Security Council (NSC) meeting in the first half of September, before the election of the next Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, to finalize the new security policy.

The enemy base strike capability is a missile defense strategy raised mainly by the ruling LDP after the Japanese government decided in June to scrap the land-based ballistic missile interception system project called 'Aegis Ashore.' Instead of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles, the concept involves striking enemy bases before missile launch. However, controversy arose as this contradicts Japan's defense strategy based on the pacifist constitution, known as 'exclusive defense' (where defense forces can only be exercised if attacked). Earlier, the LDP officially proposed to the government on the 4th the possession of enemy base strike capability under the name 'missile interception capability within the adversary's territory.'

Prime Minister Abe's intention to decide on the direction of possessing enemy base strike capability during his term is interpreted as a judgment that it is uncertain whether the next administration will concretize related policies according to Abe's wishes, due to opposition from the coalition partner Komeito.

Prime Minister Abe also plans to present alternatives to the withdrawn Aegis Ashore project. According to Kyodo News, the alternatives under consideration include additional deployment of Aegis-equipped ships capable of intercepting missiles at sea, installation of high-performance radars on land, and missile interception from escort ships or maritime platforms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.