Japan expressed "understanding" Tuesday toward the controversial new defense strategy announced last week by U.S. President George W. Bush.
The strategy involves the deployment of an as-yet undeveloped super shield against ballistic missiles.
During talks with Richard Armitage, visiting U.S. deputy secretary of state, Deputy Foreign Minister Ryozo Kato said Japan understands the U.S. plan as a means of guarding against the threat of ballistic missile attack, according to a ministry official.