Japan vows to boost missile defence after North Korea parade
North Korea, marking the 75th anniversary of its ruling party, paraded a variety of weapons systems.
Japan has vowed to bolster its missile deterrence capability in response to threats from weapons displayed during a military parade held by North Korea over the weekend.
North Korea, marking the 75th anniversary of its ruling party on Saturday, paraded a variety of weapons systems, unveiling what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile.
It also displayed what is likely to be an upgraded version of a missile that can be fired from submarines.
“In order to respond to threats that are diversifying and complex, we will firmly work to strengthen our comprehensive missile deterrence capability,” chief cabinet secretary Katsunobu Kato told a regular news conference. “We understand that some of those missiles are said to make it difficult for us to respond with our conventional equipment.”
Mr Kato declined to give details on Japan’s analysis of the missiles displayed by North Korea. He only said that Japan would continue to co-operate with the US and other concerned countries to protect the Japanese people.
Under the nearly eight-year tenure of hawkish former prime minister Shinzo Abe, Japan expanded its military’s international role under the Japan-US alliance, amid growing threats from North Korea and China.
Mr Abe’s successor, Yoshihide Suga, and his government are expected to compile a new missile plan later this year.
North Korea followed the military parade with a mass gymnastics show on Sunday night at Pyongyang’s May Day Stadium.
Images and video from the North’s state media showed North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un waving towards the stands filled with masked spectators before watching the show, which was performed by thousands of people in unison.
