Interpreting As New Threat

According to information obtained from the governments of Japan and Republic of Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launched four ballistic missiles to Japan Sea on Monday, three of which touched down in economic exclusive zone of Japan. While it can be recognized as an intimidation to United States and its allies, Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, took it serious development of situation in Northeast Asia. In spite of a few options in hand actually, Abe administration likes to join the military escalation to justify its internal policy for enhancing military capability.

The missiles were fired from the region of Tongchang-ri, located Northwest of Pyongyang 7:34 a.m., one of which supposed to have exploded as soon as the launching. Four missiles flew about one thousand kilometers and touched down on the see 300 to 350 kilometers west of Oga Peninsula of Japan. Although three of them were in EEZ of Japan, no damage on Japan’s economic activities including fishery was reported.

Japanese government realized that the missiles were improved type of Scud, not inter-continental ballistic missiles. Abe made an immediate gaggle to the press in his official residence and announced his recognition that the missile launching was an evidence of North Korea to have become a new threat. It was still not clear what kind of new threat the North was.

Abe told that he made serious protest to North Korea and ordered making efforts to collect information, sending information to Japanese people immediately and properly, reconfirming safety of aircrafts or ships and preparing for any unexpected events. Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, denounced North Korea as violating the resolutions of United Nations Security Council. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, had telephone talks with U.S. Secretary of State and South Korean Minister for Foreign Affairs. Abe administration had National Security Council, interrupting discussion in a committee of House of Councillors.

So, what can Japan do to that anyway? It is possible that intimidation of North Korea accelerate the discussion over ballistic missile defense in Japan. Hawkish lawmakers of Liberal Democratic Party argue that Japanese BMD should introduce terminal high altitude area defense or ground-deployed Aegis system called Aegis Ashore. Even preemptive attack on enemy’s military base, which may violate Constitution of Japan, is considered.

But, Japan basically has to rely on power of allies. While North Korea hopes to direct negotiation with U.S., Obama administration had been taking the policy of strategic patience. Dismissing that policy, Trump administration is proceeding to hardliner’s policy. Even military option on nuclear facility in North Korea, which is a nightmare of Japan, might not be dropped. But, Abe looks like to test his policy to help evacuation of Japanese citizens from Korean Peninsula.