Why Japan should have the capability to counterattack enemies

Debate heats up amid scrapped Aegis Ashore plan and increasing missile threats

As Japan has scrapped a plan to deploy the Aegis Ashore missile defense system, calls are increasing for it to consider options for obtaining counterattack capabilities. © Reuters

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

August 7, 2020 19:03 JST

TOKYO -- While the debate on how to protect Japan from missile attacks gathers steam, the governing Liberal Democratic Party has come up with an idea to make the Self-Defense Forces capable of counterattacking enemy missile bases and other facilities.

The LDP presented a set of proposals including that idea to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday. The government will start a detailed study of the plans.