Dangerous missile: Japan stops stationing American Aegis System

In a surprising turn of events has exposed Japan to Work for the more than four-billion-Dollar deployment of the land-based missile defense system "Aegis Ashore". The decision not only throws a shadow on the work of the Ministry of defense in Tokyo, but also in Japan could weigh on Japanese-American relations. The Japanese government had so far argued that the Installation of the from the American company Lockheed Martin-developed system is essential, in order to protect Japan from possible missile attack by North Korea.

Patrick Welter

a correspondent for Economics and policy in Japan, based in Tokyo.

defence Minister Taro Kono justified the stop of the Work, with technical difficulties and escalating costs. He indicated that "Aegis Ashore" have no Chance. It would not be rational to develop the necessary Changes to the missile defense system, said Kono. The reason for setting the Work habits of technical imperfections. Currently, it cannot be excluded that an auxiliary engine of the interceptor missiles on populated country in the vicinity of the support points falls down.

this risk are to be excluded according to a statement from Conus Changes to the Software and interceptor missiles necessary, which could take an estimated further 1.9 billion dollars and up to ten years. The costs were initially recognised with the equivalent of 2.1 billion dollars. Most recently they have been including long-term stationing costs with more than four billion dollars estimated. The purchase agreement with the United States amounted, according to information from Conus to 1.7 billion dollars.