Test against Test

Against the intimidation of the country with a dictator, this nation tries to respond with technology. The government of Japan is preparing for North Korea’s missile test by deploying anti-ballistic missile systems. The question here is whether those systems are reliable. The fact is those systems have only used in experiments, not operated against actual threat. So, it would be nothing more than a test against a test.

The government of South Korea predicts that the missile test would be done around April 15, the birthday of Kim Il-sung, the North’s founding father and grandfather of the First Secretary. According to the information from the United States satellites, the test will include new middle-range ballistic missile called Musudan. It is observed that North Korea has been repeating showing and hiding the missiles around the shelter in saber-rattling way.

The government of Japan deployed PAC-3 systems in Tokyo and Okinawa to protect its capital and the land over which the missile will supposedly pass. It is the fourth time for Japan to do that. All were against the North’s missile tests one time in 2009, and twice in 2012 twice. There was, however, no chance to launch those anti-ballistic missiles, because the North failed to launch ballistic missiles or the missiles did not come over the land of Japan. The message that “Ok, we can make your missiles useless” has not actually be proven to be true.

It has been said that anti-ballistic missile technology is something like shooting down a shot bullet. While it is easier to shoot down a boosting missile, shooting a missile in its terminal phase is extremely difficult because of its high speed. We cannot be feeling safe, even if the missile defense system was deployed on the land. If the anti-missile system failed in actual emergency, it will show the vulnerability of Japan’s defense. It is close to dangerous gamble making people hostages.

It is necessary for the international community to make a deal in diplomatic solution. The foreign ministers meeting of G8 accused the North’s intimidation with a pressure of further sanction and significant additional measures. But, their target is wrong. The target for deterrence against North Korea is not North Korea, but China. “Different from past experience, North Korea is getting uncontrollable even for China,” told Deputy Prime Minister, Taro Aso. No, Aso-san. The North is uncontrollable, because China is not serious about holding the North down. It is obvious when one sees the attitude of China on sanctions against the North. As long as China does not take an action, it is meaningless to agree with any further measures including military attacks.