Ballistic Missile Defense Deployment in Japan: Regional Reaction and the Future Stability of East Asia

摘要

Ballistic missile defense deployment by Japan, while defensive in nature, has the potential to dramatically upset the balance of power and regional stability of East Asia. On 31 August 1998, North Korea tested a medium range Taepodong missile over Japan that landed in the Pacific Ocean to the northeast. The test had a sobering effect on the perceived collective security of the nation as it took the missile less than nine minutes to reach Japan. This incident, the September 11th terrorist attacks and regional balance of power shifts have all pushed Japan toward a more engaged, assertive and autonomous foreign policy. The deployment of a ballistic missile defense (BMD) system by Japan, while defensive in nature, is certain to create tensions and upset the perceived balance of power between Japan and regional competitors, North Korea and China.