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Japan mulls deterrence

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on Monday that his country "must have deterrence capability" to face the challenges arising out of North Korea's latest missile tests. North Korea is Japan's neighbour. Clarifying the issue, following speculation that Japan might now seek to develop capabilities to attack the missile launch-sites in North Korea, Mr. Koizumi told journalists in Tokyo that the actual "form" of the "deterrence capability," designed to meet "various situations," would require expert opinions. He said "there is no harm discussing how to respond when a missile has been launched" in a manner that would put Japan in harm's way. However, "it is a different thing when it comes to saying that Japan should conduct a pre-emptive strike before actually being attacked." Being a "constitutional issue" under Japan's pacifist statute, the question of missile-deterrence "must be studied very carefully." On the diplomatic front, Mr. Koizumi said Japan would not press the United Nations Security Council for immediate sanctions on North Korea.

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