June 26, 2020

Defense Minister Kono Taro on June 25 announced that the National Security Council (NSC) on the previous day decided to give up on the plan to deploy Aegis Ashore ground-based missile defense systems in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures.

Kono also said that it is difficult to find substitute sites. This means that the government is completely abandoning its plan to introduce land-based Aegis Ashore systems in Japan.

In response to the Defense Minister’s announcement, Akita Governor Satake Norihisa stated to the press that he is relieved, and called on the government to provide a detailed explanation of the reasons behind the decision to local residents. Yamaguchi Governor Muraoka Tsugumasa commented that he appreciated the swift decision.

The Abe government plans to discuss a new national security strategy including another missile defense policy after the cancellation of the deployment plan is officially finalized by the Cabinet.

Past related articles:
> Aegis Ashore deployment plan should be abandoned altogether: JCP Kokuta [June 16, 2020]
> JCP Kokuta demands cancellation of plan to deploy land-based Aegis Ashore [June 7, 2018]