Japan mulls deploying 2 Aegis destroyers on N. Korea threat

Kyodo News (Japan) ^ | 2/5/03

[Heartlander2]

Japan is considering deploying two destroyers equipped with the Aegis air defense system to the Sea of Japan and is on high alert for missile launches by North Korea, government sources said Wednesday. The government believes the chances are rising that Pyongyang will resume test-firing ballistic missiles as part of its brinkmanship diplomacy, and decided to strengthen Japan's missile-tracking system, the sources said.

Japan will also convey to North Korea through China and Russia its concern over the security threat and urge restraint, the sources said.

In addition, the government will start studying responses that will likely include economic sanctions on North Korea, such as barring the passenger-cargo ship Man Gyong Bong-92, which sails between North Korea and Japan, from making port calls in Japan.

The Aegis destroyers are capable of tracking the trajectories of missiles launched by North Korea.

Japan will try to monitor missile fueling by the North by using Self-Defense Forces equipment as well as information from U.S. spy satellites.

A senior Foreign Ministry official said Wednesday that North Korea may test-fire missiles or extract plutonium from spent nuclear fuel rods, which can be used to build nuclear weapons.

The official revealed that Japan urged North Korea to exercise restraint through unofficial channels, but no clear response has been given by the North.

Meanwhile, Japan and the United States believe North Korea could escalate the situation by such means as launching a Nodong-1 or Taepodong-1 missile in a bid to urge the U.S. to negotiate with it on nuclear issues.

The government believes it necessary to increase diplomatic pressure on North Korea by concerned countries to prevent Pyongyang from taking further provocative action, Foreign Ministry sources said.

In working-level talks between Japan and Russia on Tuesday, Moscow agreed to pressure North Korea on behalf of Japan, they said.

[gridlock]

How good is the Japanese Aegis system. Could they pull off a shoot-down if they catch one of these test launches in the boost phase?

That would sure get people's attention!

[John H K]

Stark lesson for the "I thought Japan didn't have a military" types. These are vessels basically almost as capable as a US Arleigh Burke (and BTW, the Chinese don't have anything close to these).

However, Japanese can't shoot down any missles; I imagine they'll end up with the modified ABM Standard missles we're working on, eventually.

[BenLurkin]

Please Ping to Mr. H- and Frank G-

[John H K]

I'm fairly certain they couldn't. Like I said, we currently have a program to create a modified STANDARD missle for ABM purposes, but I'm having trouble finding articles on it offhand...I'm not certain what the current status of the project is. They're very expensive missles. I'm sure the Japanese will be interested in acquiring some eventually, though.

[AmericanInTokyo]

I believe they are on their way. This is for real, folks.

[HighRoadToChina]

bfl

[gridlock]

But isn't it a heck of a lot easier to hit one of these birds during boost? They aren't moving quite so fast then, and you have a heck of an IR signature to work with.

They'd have to be pretty quick on the trigger though.

[Nick Danger]

Info and pics of these vessels here.

[BenLurkin]

bttt

[skeeter]

But, that would still leave the N Koreans with Nodong.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Bush reelection battle cry: "No New Nodongs!"

[rmlew]

Japan needs more Kongos.
Perhaps they can also build some for Taiwan.

[Enemy Of The State]

They are every bit just as good as ours. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe that Japan has the second or third most modern military next the US

[Lee Heggy]

I agree. They're pretty fine ships. They can get the job done that they were designed for if they are in the right place. I think Japan should be prepared. The N. Koreans are desperate and unpredictable. In their current posture they could easily have an 'accidental' firing.

[Saturnalia]

Wheee! Watching wars begin out of sheer stupidity is lots of fun.
Here's to hoping a NK military official Takes care of Kim Jong Il, as this keeps getting worse.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Perhaps we need to begin a pysops operation right now with airdrops or radio broadcasts, offering US asylum in any post-Kim Jong il North Korea, a luxurious villa, cigars/whiskey galore and 10 beautiful blonde models, to the very first Workers Party personal attache, KPA bodyguard or DPRK military leader that is able to unholster his side arm if given the chance, and put that 5-foot-1 pipsqueak piece of .... down like the truly rabid dog he is. (Just as the Arab specialists have been doing in Iraq)

[Saturnalia]

I'm hoping we start that sort of thing soon.
Just keep your head down and wait for the giant robots to stomp into N. Korea.