Japan is not capable of intercepting North Korean missiles?

(Baonghean.vn)- On August 29, the Japanese government affirmed that the country has taken necessary steps to deal with the North Korean missile threat, however, the ballistic missile flying over northern Japan demonstrated the limitations of the country's ability to prepare for low-predictability launches.

Meanwhile, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) did not take any action to intercept the missile. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the decision not to shoot it down was made because radar data ruled out the possibility of the missile falling on Japan.

People watch news of North Korea's missile launch. Photo: AP

Despite assurances from the leadership, General Hiroaki Maehara, commander of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force in charge of missile defense operations, admitted that the timing of the launch was “a complete surprise.”

Japan has more than 30 PAC-3 air and missile defense systems deployed across the country, each with a range of dozens of kilometers. While the government plans to introduce interceptors that could double the range, the current system is not enough to protect the entire Japanese mainland, and the SDF has been adjusting the locations of the defense systems to prepare for contingencies in case missiles fall due to malfunction or other reasons.

After North Korea announced earlier this month that it was considering test-firing ballistic missiles over Japan, toward waters near the US Pacific island of Guam, some PAC-3 units were moved to four areas in western Japan along the trajectory of the missiles. However, the missile North Korea launched on August 29 took a completely different path, passing over Cape Erimo on the northernmost island of Hokkaido and landing in the sea 1,180 km east of it.

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera. Photo: AP

At the US Yokota Air Base on the outskirts of Tokyo, where Japan's Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) practiced deploying the PAC-3 system, Defense Minister Maehara stressed the importance of positioning defense systems near possible missile fall areas, saying “PAC-3 needs to be deployed at the right place and at the right time.”

In Hokkaido, there is currently only one missile defense group deployed at the ASDF's Chitose base, 160 kilometers from Cape Erimo. There seems to be not enough time to bring in other defense units.

As North Korea continues to test-fire ballistic missiles, many of which have landed in Japanese waters, the Defense Ministry has stepped up efforts to bolster Japan’s defense capabilities. Among the options being considered is planning to install the Aegis land-based missile defense system, known as Aegis Ashore.

The system uses similar components to those of the Aegis system deployed on Japanese destroyers, but the land-based system is expected to reduce the workload of SDF members in missile interception operations, as the system will be permanently deployed on land.

Japan and the US agree to increase pressure on Pyongyang. Photo: AP

The Defense Ministry also plans to double the number of Aegis-equipped ships to eight, but not until 2021. The ministry is also concerned that North Korea could launch a surprise attack, using mobile launchers and choosing nighttime to fire missiles.

Meanwhile, a Japanese Defense Ministry official said the fact that North Korea launched a missile on August 29 from a previously unused location – Sunan near the capital Pyongyang – could be a sign that the country is testing its ability to conduct a sneak attack.

Another official said: “No matter how much we strengthen our missile defense system, there will still be gaps. The threat will not end.”

Lan Ha

(According to Kyodo)