![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() Friday, August 13, 1999 Published at 09:36 GMT 10:36 UK ![]() ![]() World: Asia-Pacific ![]() Japan backs missile defence plan ![]() North Korea parades its missiles in 1992 ![]() The Japanese cabinet has approved joint research with the United States on an anti-missile defence system, amid fears that North Korea is poised to test-fire a second missile.
The complete project, which is a development of the so-called Star Wars anti-missile shield advocated by former US President Ronald Reagan, is expected to cost between $50bn to $60bn. Both countries will share the cost of the programme. They agreed to conduct research into the new defence system last year after North Korea launched a medium-range Taepodong I missile over Japan without any prior warning. Condemnation The missile landed in the Pacific Ocean, but proved that Japan is well within range. The test provoked widespread condemnation from South Korea, Japan and the United States. Japan has warned North Korea that it may cut a key lifeline of hard currency if it goes ahead with a second missile test. It is considering a ban on Koreans living in Japan sending money to the impoverished country. North Korea has said launching a rocket is a matter of sovereignty and it will do so when it deems necessary. It also says it believes Japan will start invading other Asian countries again if it has a stronger military. At the moment, Japan has no satellite surveillance or defence systems of its own . It relies of the presence of the United States military based in Japan and South Korean military for information on any missile threat. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]()
![]()
![]() ![]() ![]()
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |