U.S. defense industry strategy stumbles into Japan's political uncertainty

Plans for ship repair, missile co-production are crucial to counter China, Pentagon says

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The U.S. plans to co-produce advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles in Japan with Mitsubishi Electric. (U.S. Navy photo)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Defense Department's ambition to use allied factories and shipyards to supplement an overstretched American industrial base in countering China has hit a stumbling block as Japan enters a period of political uncertainty following Sunday's general election.

On Tuesday, the Pentagon released the first of what is intended to be annual implementation plans for the National Defense Industrial Strategy, highlighting the need to address key challenges to the U.S. defense industrial base and warning of the risks of inaction.

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