In his 2023 article “Japan’s Strategy to Confront North Korea’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missiles,” Tokuhiro Ikeda asserted that Japan needed to change course on their North Korean defense strategy to adequately defend the island. Two years later, we asked him to revisit his analysis in light of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic arsenals becoming increasingly sophisticated.Image: Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceIn your 2023 article, “Japan’s Strategy to Confront North Korea’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missiles,” you discussed how Japan must adapt to North Korea’s increasingly capable fleet of missiles. Two years later, North Korea has developed a more sophisticated nuclear arsenal — what has Japan done to adapt to this new reality? Is it enough? Japan has been steadily strengthening its defense capabilities by doubling its defense budget, based on the three security-related documents released in late 2022. In March, the Japan Joint Operations Command was established to improve the Self Defense Force’s ability to carry out its own missions, as well as to facilitate cooperation between Japanese and U.S. forces.Japan is also strengthening both its joint missile air defense and stand-off defense capabilities to deal with vessels and landing forces invading the island from locations outside of threat zones. These capabilities enable Japan to conduct effective counterstrikes in enemy territory.These projects include the construction of two Aegis system-equipped vessels as part of the Aegis Ashore Replacement Project, the enhancement of existing Aegis guided-missile destroyers for Tomahawk launches, and the acquisition of up to 400 Tomahawk missiles. They also involve improving the capability of domestically produced long-range land-to-ship missiles for diversified launch platforms such as ships and aircraft, as well as developing a new type of precision-guided missile. Additional initiatives include joint U.S.-Japanese development of a Glide Phase Interceptor, new research into rail gun technology, the development of submarine-launched ship-to-land missiles and vertical launchers, and
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In his 2023 article “Japan’s Strategy to Confront North Korea’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missiles,” Tokuhiro Ikeda asserted that Japan needed to change course on their North Korean defense strategy to adequately defend the island. Two years later, we asked him to revisit his analysis in light of North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic arsenals becoming increasingly sophisticated.Image: Japan Maritime Self-Defense ForceIn your 2023 article, “Japan’s Strategy to Confront North Korea’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missiles,” you discussed how Japan must adapt to North Korea’s increasingly capable fleet of missiles. Two years later, North Korea has developed a more sophisticated nuclear arsenal — what has
