July 10, 2006 :: AP :: News
Japan is considering whether a preemptive strike on North Korea’s missile bases would violate its constitution, reports the AP. Japan’s constitution currently prohibits the use of military force in settling international disputes, and forbids Japan from sustaining a military for use in warfare. Tokyo, however, has interpreted this to mean that it can protect itself with armed troops, allowing for the existence of the Self-Defense Forces including missile defense assets. Government officials are now discussing a possible legal framework that would allow Tokyo to launch a preemptive strike against North Korea’s ballistic missile arsenal. “If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack … there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the constitutional right of self-defense. We need to deepen discussion,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.
The debate, like similar calls in the United States to preemptively destroy North Korean missiles, illustrates how vulnerability to ballistic missiles can constrain and narrow a nation’s freedom of action in responding to threats. (Article)
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