COMMENTARY / World

North Korean missile tests could eventually trigger a Japanese response

At some point Tokyo may have to adopt a missile program of its own — possibly nuclear

North Korea tests what its state media said was a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile at an undisclosed location on March 24. | KCNA / KNS / VIA AFP-JIJI

By Robert E. Kelly
Contributing Writer

Apr 1, 2022

Since the beginning of the year, North Korea has tested many missiles of various ranges, including an intercontinental ballistic missile last week.

With nuclear weapons atop these missiles, they become a genuinely serious, if not existential, threat to South Korea, Japan and the United States.

But they most dramatically alter Japanese security. And at some point, Japan will be forced to develop a counter-strategy, likely some mix of missile defense, a substantially expanded missile force of its own — and possibly nuclear weapons.

North Korean missile tests could eventually trigger a Japanese response

At some point Tokyo may have to adopt a missile program of its own — possibly nuclear

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