Japan's ruling party broadens vision for defensive strike option

LDP proposal would extend shield beyond interception and fixed launch sites

A Chinese ballistic missile submarine in the South China Sea: Mobile launchers have made enemy base strike capabilities less effective as a deterrent. © Reuters

DAISHI ABE and OKI NAGAI, Nikkei staff writers

July 31, 2020 03:04 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese lawmakers showed support Thursday for developing new systems to head off missile threats in enemy territory, recognizing the limits of an approach that relies purely on intercepting incoming attacks.