National Jun 25, 2020
Aegis Ashore deployments in Japan scrapped, defense minister confirms
On Wednesday the government started to review its national security policy, focusing on whether the nation should possess the ability to strike enemy bases.
National Jun 24, 2020
LDP lays groundwork to consider equipping Japan with attack capabilities
The move comes after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he wanted discussions on national security policy following suspension of the plan to deploy Aegis Ashore.
National Jun 22, 2020
Japan weighs Aegis Ashore alternatives, including megafloat or deployment aboard destroyer
Special teams will work to whittle down options, with the government aiming to make a decision by this summer.
National / Politics Jun 21, 2020
Japan to officially scrap Aegis Ashore deployment, with alternative plan eyed by end of summer
Japan's National Security Council to make an official decision to withdraw the plan to deploy the system in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures in the near future.
National / Politics | FYI Jun 21, 2020
Defense Ministry blunders and local opposition ruin Japan's Aegis Ashore plans
by Eric Johnston
The controversial project was long troubled by doubts about whether it was even needed, and by whom.
National Jun 19, 2020
Defense chief Taro Kono visits Yamaguchi to apologize for Aegis Ashore cancellation confusion
Yamaguchi's governor and the mayor of Hagi criticized the government for not detecting the booster problem earlier and for dividing residents with the project.
National Jun 19, 2020
U.S. talking with Japan on concerns over halted Aegis Ashore missile defense plan
Japan was supposed to be the third country to introduce the Aegis Ashore system after Romania and Poland.
National / Politics Jun 17, 2020
Japan's parliament ends coronavirus-dominated session without extension
Opposition parties had demanded that the Diet session be extended as many questions remain, including on the pandemic and the Aegis Ashore anti-missile system.
Commentary / Japan Jun 17, 2020
Canceling Aegis Ashore raises problems — and hopes
by Brad Glosserman
The decision should galvanize bilateral cooperation, promoting still greater integration of the two countries’ defense systems.
National | ANALYSIS Jun 16, 2020
Is sudden decision to 'suspend' Aegis Ashore deployment a setback or a calculated retreat?
by Jesse Johnson and Satoshi Sugiyama
With Trump distracted by domestic issues, Abe may have judged the timing as ripe for halting the U.S.-made missile system without facing too much of a backlash.
National Jun 15, 2020
Japan suspends plan to deploy Aegis Ashore missile defense system
Defense Minister Taro Kono cited costs and technical problems as the main reasons for the decision to scrap the plan.
National May 28, 2020
The Defense Ministry said Thursday it has pushed back the deadline for an additional survey of potential locations for deploying the planned Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system. The deadline for examining locations in the three prefectures of Aomori, Akita and Yamagata was moved from ...