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Japan's parliament passes law to boost its missile defense

Japan's Parliament yesterday passed legislation giving the defense chief the authority to shoot down incoming missiles without approval from the prime minister or Cabinet, boosting a joint missile defense system Japan is working on with the US.

The bill was approved by the upper house in a 126-94 vote. It passed the more powerful lower house last month, meaning the legislation will now be enacted.

Japan's postwar pacifist constitution renounces the use of force to settle international disputes, but Tokyo has recently become increasingly concerned about dangers posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

Proponents argued the legislation was needed to respond quickly to an attack, rather than going through bureaucratic channels that could delay a response.

"If a missile comes flying into Japan, we have to shoot it down to protect the lives and property of the Japanese people before we can mobilize our defenses," Defense Agency chief Yoshinori Ono told reporters before the vote.

Critics were concerned that the legislation would give Japan's military too much power to use force, but the bill was backed by the ruling party and passed easily.

Tokyo is jointly researching a missile defense system with the US, and Ono said Tuesday that Washington had agreed to let Japan manufacture new Patriot missile systems under license. He said the two countries signed an agreement in March allowing Japan to produce Patriot Advanced Capability-3, or PAC-3, missiles for planned deployment during fiscal 2006. The missiles are designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and enemy aircraft.

The country is relaxing its longtime ban on arms exports to facilitate defense technology transfers with the US related to the defense system. Authorities are also considering amending the constitution to allow the military to play a greater role overseas.

Worries in Japan about North Korea have risen as the communist country moves ahead with its nuclear weapons programs.

North Korea shocked Japan in 1998 by blasting a Taepodong-1 missile over its territory and into the Pacific Ocean. The North said it was an attempt to put a satellite in orbit.
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