Following Japan's decision to scrap a plan to deploy the land-based Aegis Ashore ballistic missile defense system, the country is expected to face difficulties in finding an alternative means of protecting itself from the threat of North Korean missiles.
Defense Minister Taro Kono has indicated Japan will for the time being defend itself from the missile threat with the existing Aegis-equipped destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
But making them focus on missile defense would mean they cannot be used for defense elsewhere, including the Nansei Islands chain covering Okinawa, around which China has recently been increasing its maritime activities.