Tomahawk missiles from the United States were authorized to be purchased by the Japanese military after the Defense Minister of Japan reportedly signed a deal on Thursday, January 18.
At a ceremony in Tokyo, Japanese Minister Minoru Kihara and US Ambassador Rahm Emanuel inked an agreement for Japan to acquire 400 long-range Tomahawk missiles manufactured in the US, as reported by Fox News.
Apparently, Japan is aiming to increase its military might in response to regional security challenges, such as those posed by Russia, North Korea, and China.
Improving Defensive Capabilities
In a news statement issued on Wednesday, January 17, the Japan Ministry of Defense/Japan Self-Defense Forces (JMOD / JSDF) confirmed its intention to enhance its stand-off defensive capabilities. This measure is intended to deter and ultimately destroy any forces that may launch an early and distant invasion of Japan.
"In order to swiftly build this capability, JMOD / JSDF is, first of all, working towards the prompt procurement of indigenous stand-off missiles," as said in the statement. "In addition, as announced in October of last year, the Government of Japan has also decided to procure Tomahawk, which is complementary [to] the indigenous stand-off missiles, one year ahead of schedule."
Japan will reportedly purchase the missile sometime between fiscal years 2025 and 2027.
In the announcement, Japan is pleased to inform that the Japanese Ministry of Defense, in the presence of Kihara, and the US Government, through their Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement, have announced the signing of a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) to purchase Tomahawk missiles and associated equipment.
The signing ceremony took place at the Japanese Ministry of Defense on Thursday and was attended by Emanuel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Japan.
It continued: "We will continue to promote the procurement of various stand-off missiles and work for early building of stand-off defense capabilities based on the Defense Buildup Program."
Allies Amid Tensions
Tensions between China and many nations in the Indo-Pacific area, including the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea, have recently intensified, and this acquisition comes at a time when it is happening. Trade deals and military technology are two ways these smaller nations have asked the US for help.
Japan has voiced its worry over the growing cooperation between Russia and North Korea, which is accompanied by the latter's intensified pursuit of nuclear and missile weapons.
On Thursday, three top nuclear envoys from the US, Japan, and South Korea also got together in Seoul for a trilateral summit. The authorities voiced their disapproval of the military collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang after the meeting between North Korea's foreign minister and Russian President Vladimir Putin, especially in light of the fact that the isolated nation is still conducting missile launches.
