Image source: topwar.ru
The United States has changed its mind about deploying medium-range missiles in Japan. One of the reasons for this is the negative attitude of the local population to this idea, especially those living in the areas of the alleged basing of these weapons.
Such a message appeared in the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, whose journalists refer to their sources.
Initially, the idea of deploying medium-range missiles in Japan was caused by the desire to contain China, which is trying to strengthen its control in the Pacific region. But now the US authorities have decided that this task can be handled without it.
The fact is that Japan is now making independent efforts to increase its own defense potential for counterattacking strikes. In particular, Tokyo intends to purchase a batch of American Tomahawk missiles, and is also working to increase the range of Type 12 missile systems produced by the local defense industry. These events are planned as part of the updated national security strategy of Japan. Among other things, it is noted in the Japanese press, it provides for the appearance of 500 Tomahawk cruise missiles and one thousand Type 12 units in service with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.
Until recently, the United States did not have missiles capable of hitting objects at a distance of 500 to 2.5 thousand kilometers, since Washington had no right to possess them according to the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles signed by it. At the same time, China has almost two thousand such missiles. But after the Americans withdrew from the agreement in 2019, work began in the United States to create medium-range missile weapons, including hypersonic ones.
