I worked at the US Army base in Kuwait when we invaded Iraq the second time. We had several patriot batteries around Kuwait and when the Iraqis started send scud missile into Kuwait the patriot batteries knocked them out of the air one after the other for ten days. Only one got through and landed in Kuwait City. These guys and gals working these missile batteries were real hero's and saved a lot of lives.
This is a very good time for Japan to expand its ABM capabilities in a way that China can’t really bitch about. I’m actually delighted to see them taking the initiative this way.
I live in Tokyo, which is covered by the Iruma JASDF base and the ships based out of Yokosuka, but I still worry that a Chinese attack aimed at Yokota AB or 7th Fleet headquarters at Yokosuka could break through the shield.