Japan considers deploying THAAD: A multi-target arrow

(Baonghean) - Following South Korea, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada recently announced that the country is considering deploying the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. According to observers, this move by Japan is not only to strengthen its national defense capabilities but also to send a message to many countries.

Deterring North Korea

In her statement, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada affirmed that considering the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system on Japanese territory aims to strengthen national defense capabilities in dealing with possible ballistic missile threats.

The THAAD system, built by the US-based Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a missile interception system that operates inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere. In response to the growing threat from North Korea, Japan is also deploying a two-layer ballistic missile defense system.

The system includes ship-based SM-3 interceptors that target high-flying missiles and ground-based PAC-3 batteries that target low-flying missiles. Of course, for Japan, the higher the risk, the more investment is needed to respond.

Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said that Japan is considering deploying THAAD in the country.

In fact, in recent months, such as July, August, and September, the DPRK has conducted missile test launches towards the Sea of ​​Japan. In July, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a military source as saying that the DPRK launched three ballistic missiles towards the Sea of ​​Japan. In August, North Korea continued to launch a ballistic missile off its east coast to protest the US plan to deploy the THAAD defense system in South Korea.

Japan said immediately afterward that this was the first time a North Korean missile had landed in or near Japanese-controlled waters. A Japanese defense official even said the main body of the missile fell into the country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the launch as a serious threat to Japan.

Or more recently on September 5, the DPRK fired three ballistic missiles from the country's east coast. The missiles flew more than 1,000km, with some flying as far as 1,300-1,500km before falling into Japan's air defense identification zone. Such continuous progress by North Korea has inevitably made Japan worried and made the decision to consider deploying THAAD in this country.

Speak out to China

If China has continuously expressed its opposition to the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, then deploying this system in Japan is like adding fuel to the fire. It is understandable because when THAAD is deployed in Japan, this system can extend its range of operations towards China.

Last August, Japan and South Korea agreed for the first time to share information and data collected from the THAAD system that is expected to be deployed in South Korea. This move marked a complete change in South Korea's stance on information sharing, as the country has never had any intention of cooperating with Japan.

The THAAD missile defense system is expected to be deployed by the US in South Korea in 2017. Source: Reuters

It should be noted that Japan and South Korea are both US allies in Asia but have had a less than good relationship, due to tensions during the war. However, in the new context, in order to deal with common risks, it is understandable that these two countries have come closer together. This is also the basis for forming a close alliance between the US, Japan and South Korea.

Although US President-elect Donald Trump has made a number of statements demanding that ally Japan contribute more, the core interests of the US in the region will not easily allow Mr. Trump to turn his back on these two top important allies.

The strong US-Japan-South Korea alliance will of course make many countries worried, including North Korea and China. China's worry is that once the THAAD system is set up in both Japan and South Korea, all future activities of its military along the coast will be completely within the radar range of this system.

According to military experts, THAAD's mobile radar system with a search range of up to 3,000 km can detect all military exercises on land and in the air. Detailed parameters such as sortie frequency, quantity, and airport location are also detected. Not only that, the deployment of THAAD in Japan will certainly also be a message that Tokyo wants to send to Beijing in the recent disputes in the East China Sea.

Send a message to Russia

Not only targeting the DPRK and China, Japan's announcement of considering deploying THAAD also wants Russia to worry. On November 22, the Russian Pacific Fleet said it had deployed Bal and Bastion missile batteries to its naval bases on the Kuril Islands, which Japan also claims as its own and calls the Northern Territories. Russia said that these missile batteries will conduct drills as soon as possible.

In fact, Russia and Japan have yet to sign a peace treaty since World War II, due to sovereignty disputes over four islands in the disputed archipelago between the two countries. Therefore, Russia's move has made Japan extremely angry.

Japanese Prime Minister Abe has declared this action “reprehensible” and contrary to Tokyo’s stance. Therefore, the announcement of considering deploying THAAD is nothing more than a “wind blow” that the Japanese government wants to send to Russia.

Although in her statement, Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada affirmed that the country has no intention of immediately deploying the THAAD missile defense system and that Japanese military officials are “considering what can be done”. However, this statement has caused concern among related countries; at the same time, it is predicted to increase tensions in the Asian region, especially Northeast Asia, which already has many complex conflicts.

Phuong Hoa