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| THAAD Ballistic Missile Interceptor launch |
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan plans to propose that priority be placed on discussions on reinforcement of ballistic missile defense during a security dialogue with the United States expected to be held late next month in the wake of recent missile activities by North Korea, a government source said Saturday.
The two countries' foreign and defense ministers may discuss their division of roles including whether to have U.S. capabilities in place to destroy an enemy military base before a ballistic missile launch, according to the source.
In the first "two-plus-two" security talk by the countries since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, Japan hopes to reaffirm that Tokyo and Washington are on the same page about their sense of urgency in dealing with the threat posed by North Korea.
On March 6, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles, three of which fell into Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan. The missiles were viewed as possessing an increased strike accuracy based on how closely they flew.
Read the full story at The Mainichi