After North Korea test-fired seven missiles July 5, arguments suddenly began flying within the government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that Japan should consider developing the capability to strike a foreign missile base if there is an imminent threat of an attack on Japan.
The missiles fired by Pyongyang included a Taepodong-2 missile, capable of reaching Alaska; Rodong missiles, which can reach Japan; and Scud-C missiles with a range of several hundred kilometers. The arguments for a preemptive capability, which appear to have quieted temporarily, greatly deviate from the nation's "defense only" policy and the principles of the war-renouncing Constitution. Moreover, such arguments can cause suspicions among neighboring countries and instability in this region.
The Constitution-based "defense only" policy embraces the following principles: Japan will maintain only the minimum necessary defense capability, will hit back only after it has been attacked, will not become a military threat to other nations, will not use military force abroad, and will let the United States take the offense when attacked. The policy emphasizes that Japan, when attacked, will cope with the emergency passively and will not carry its "defense" into a foreign country.