#US bases in #Japan now vulnerable to missile attacks

Japan's cancellation of US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense systems is a major setback for regional security https://asiatimes.com/2020/06/us-bases-in-japan-now-vulnerable-to-missile-attacks/?mc_cid=ba851bedb4&mc_eid=00400db71d

Japan’s cancellation of the two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems was not caused by local complaints about the basing of the missiles, despite what Japanese politicians claim.

It looks more and more as if Japan does not want to be “caught in the middle” in a confrontation between the United States and North Korea, or a confrontation with China.

According to Japan’s defense minister, the country will rely on Patriot and ship-mounted Aegis for missile defense and protection of critical base and infrastructure assets in Japan.

Patriot is not an answer to protecting either Japanese or American forces and their bases. Patriot is a poor point defense system and Japan does not have enough of them, even if they worked perfectly to protect all Japanese and American bases.

Backing away and canceling the Aegis Ashore deal exposes Japanese and American defense installations dangerously. The Japanese decision also raises issues in Washington about Japan’s reliability, especially under crisis conditions.

Would Japan allow the US to take action to militarily block China or North Korea? What about an attack on Taiwan? Would US forces in Japan and on Kadina on Okinawa have a free hand, or would Japan stop them from responding to aggression?