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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/19/japan-buys-us-missile-defence-system-to-counter-north-korean-threat
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Japan buys US missile defence system to counter North Korean threat | Japan buys US missile defence system to counter North Korean threat |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Japan is to boost its ability to counter the “serious and imminent” threat posed by North Korea’s ballistic missiles with the deployment of ground-based interceptors bought from the US. | Japan is to boost its ability to counter the “serious and imminent” threat posed by North Korea’s ballistic missiles with the deployment of ground-based interceptors bought from the US. |
| The defence ministry will buy two Aegis Ashore land-based systems to add to its SM-3 guided missiles launched by Aegis-equipped destroyers and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles. | The defence ministry will buy two Aegis Ashore land-based systems to add to its SM-3 guided missiles launched by Aegis-equipped destroyers and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles. |
| The cabinet said it had taken Tuesday’s decision to approve the expensive hardware in response to growing threats. | The cabinet said it had taken Tuesday’s decision to approve the expensive hardware in response to growing threats. |
| “North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has become a greater and more imminent threat for Japan’s national security, and we need to drastically improve our ballistic missile defence capability to protect Japan continuously and sustainably,” a cabinet statement said. | “North Korea’s nuclear and missile development has become a greater and more imminent threat for Japan’s national security, and we need to drastically improve our ballistic missile defence capability to protect Japan continuously and sustainably,” a cabinet statement said. |
| North Korea test-launched two ballistic missiles over Japanese territory this year, sparking text alerts warning millions in the north of the country to take cover. | North Korea test-launched two ballistic missiles over Japanese territory this year, sparking text alerts warning millions in the north of the country to take cover. |
| “North Korea’s nuclear missile development poses a new level of threat to Japan and as we have done in the past we will ensure that we are able to defend ourselves with a drastic improvement in ballistic missile defence,” Itsunori Onodera, the defence minister, said. | “North Korea’s nuclear missile development poses a new level of threat to Japan and as we have done in the past we will ensure that we are able to defend ourselves with a drastic improvement in ballistic missile defence,” Itsunori Onodera, the defence minister, said. |
| Last month, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15, it claims can strike US cities, although experts have questioned whether a missile carrying a nuclear payload, and flying on a standard trajectory, would be capable of covering that distance. | Last month, North Korea tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15, it claims can strike US cities, although experts have questioned whether a missile carrying a nuclear payload, and flying on a standard trajectory, would be capable of covering that distance. |
| The Hwasong-15 missile fired on 29 November flew on a steep trajectory for 50 minutes, reaching an altitude of 2,800 miles (4,500 km) and distance of 620 miles, according to North Korea. | The Hwasong-15 missile fired on 29 November flew on a steep trajectory for 50 minutes, reaching an altitude of 2,800 miles (4,500 km) and distance of 620 miles, according to North Korea. |
| The US-based Union of Concerned Scientists said that if the numbers were correct, then the missile would have a range of 8,080 miles on a standard trajectory. That figure suggests that all of the US could theoretically be within range. | The US-based Union of Concerned Scientists said that if the numbers were correct, then the missile would have a range of 8,080 miles on a standard trajectory. That figure suggests that all of the US could theoretically be within range. |
| The missile appears to be an advanced version of the Hwasong-15 ICBM tested in July by North Korea, which claims this version makes it a "complete" nuclear state. | The missile appears to be an advanced version of the Hwasong-15 ICBM tested in July by North Korea, which claims this version makes it a "complete" nuclear state. |
| Pyongyang has not, however, proved it has the capability to marry a miniaturised nuclear warhead with a long-range missile and send it at a trajectory that would hit US cities. | Pyongyang has not, however, proved it has the capability to marry a miniaturised nuclear warhead with a long-range missile and send it at a trajectory that would hit US cities. |
| It also remains unclear whether the North Koreans have perfected a re-entry vehicle capable of protecting a nuclear warhead during its descent. | It also remains unclear whether the North Koreans have perfected a re-entry vehicle capable of protecting a nuclear warhead during its descent. |
| Defence ministry officials in Tokyo refused to discuss details of the Aegis Ashore deployment until the official release of the 2018 defence budget, which is expected to rise to a record $46bn. | Defence ministry officials in Tokyo refused to discuss details of the Aegis Ashore deployment until the official release of the 2018 defence budget, which is expected to rise to a record $46bn. |
| Reports said Aegis Ashore’s deployment at two bases in northern and south-western Japan could cost a total of 200bn yen ($1.8bn). The systems will be capable of covering the entire country and are expected to be operational by 2023. | Reports said Aegis Ashore’s deployment at two bases in northern and south-western Japan could cost a total of 200bn yen ($1.8bn). The systems will be capable of covering the entire country and are expected to be operational by 2023. |
| “We believe this new system will significantly boost our abilities to deal with surprise attacks and saturation attacks,” said a defence ministry official quoted by Kyodo news. | “We believe this new system will significantly boost our abilities to deal with surprise attacks and saturation attacks,” said a defence ministry official quoted by Kyodo news. |
| There is concern over the progress Pyongyang appears to be making in perfecting its nuclear capability and this has fuelled calls for Japan to be able to strike pre-emptively at North Korean missile sites. | There is concern over the progress Pyongyang appears to be making in perfecting its nuclear capability and this has fuelled calls for Japan to be able to strike pre-emptively at North Korean missile sites. |
| Onodera has said Japan will acquire medium-range cruise missiles that could be launched at North Korean targets from fighter planes if an attack appeared to be imminent. | Onodera has said Japan will acquire medium-range cruise missiles that could be launched at North Korean targets from fighter planes if an attack appeared to be imminent. |
| It marks a significant shift from Japan’s strictly defensive postwar posture, on which it depended on its US ally to carry out pre-emptive strikes at enemy targets. | It marks a significant shift from Japan’s strictly defensive postwar posture, on which it depended on its US ally to carry out pre-emptive strikes at enemy targets. |
| Critics argue that a first-strike capability violates Japan’s postwar renunciation of force as a means of settling international disputes, as set out in its US-authored constitution. | Critics argue that a first-strike capability violates Japan’s postwar renunciation of force as a means of settling international disputes, as set out in its US-authored constitution. |
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