No Script

Please Wait...

Ramadan Kareem...

Japan Could Shoot Down NKorean Missiles, Trump Claims

Japan Could Shoot Down NKorean Missiles, Trump Claims
folder_openMore from Asian States access_time6 years ago
starAdd to favorites

Local Editor

US President Donald Trump claimed that Japan could shoot North Korean missiles "out of the sky" with military equipment bought from the US.

Japan Could Shoot Down NKorean Missiles, Trump Claims

For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his country could intercept missiles "if necessary".

The two leaders were speaking to reporters at the close of Trump's first state visit to Japan.

North Korea has fired long-range ballistic missiles over Japanese territory twice in recent months.

On Monday, while answering questions at a press conference, Trump said Abe was "going to purchase massive amounts of military equipment" from the US.

Referencing North Korea's missiles, he said Abe could "shoot them out of the sky" when he completed the purchase.

Abe said Japan had to "qualitatively and quantitatively" enhance its defense capability, given the "very tough" North Korea situation.

He further stressed that missile defense was based on "legal co-operation" between Japan and the US, and as for shooting down missiles, "if necessary of course we can do that".

It is not clear whether a military deal has been signed during Mr Trump's trip, but the two countries are close military allies with the US maintaining several military bases in Japan.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their ties and pledged to "stand against the North Korean menace", Trump said.

Trump is visiting Japan as part of his first tour of Asia as US president.

Earlier in his tour, Trump visited a US air base near Tokyo, and met American business leaders where he publically criticized Japan over a trade deficit.

Trump will be visiting South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines in the coming week.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

Comments