DATE=7/28/1999 TYPE=NEWS ANALYSIS TITLE=JAPAN DEFENSE ANALYSIS NUMBER=2-252231 BYLINE=JIM RANDLE DATELINE=TOKYO CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A new report from the government in Tokyo says Japan has the right to defend itself, even if it has to launch a first strike to prevent an attack on the island nation. The annual government White Paper on national defense reflects growing concern in Japan about North Korean efforts to build nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports from Tokyo. TEXT: North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile across Japan last year, and intelligence reports that Pyongyang may be preparing to fire a more powerful weapon in the next weeks or months, have changed the political debate in Tokyo over military issues. Japan invaded many of its neighbors in World War Two and shied away from building or using strong military forces in the fifty years since its defeat. Japan's pacifist constitution bars it from offensive military action. The report, however, said a pre-emptive military strike would not be unconstitutional if Japan had reason to believe an attack is likely. While the report says Japan would have the legal right to launch a pre-emptive strike, it questions the nation's capacity to carry one out. The report suggests Japan buy more advanced military hardware, including aerial refueling tankers to extend the reach of Japanese warplanes. It also urges investment in satellites for intelligence gathering. The perception here that North Korea poses a real and growing threat to Japan has also prompted the Tokyo government to strengthen military ties with the United States, and to move toward an agreement to boost investment in joint research on defenses against ballistic missiles. The report follows a parliamentary vote last May to allow Japanese forces to provide greater assistance to American troops in Asia and give the United States greater access to air fields and seaports here. Japanese journalists, with long experience covering military affairs here, say the report is designed to generate a belief in the Japanese public that more money is needed for defense, and as a warning to North Korea to leave Japan alone. The report also cites concerns about the growing number of Chinese naval vessels in waters close to Japan on what may be intelligence missions. The report stops short of saying Japan faces a military threat, but makes it clear there is growing tension between Japan and some of its neighbors. The government white paper has drawn criticism from the Liberal Asahi newspaper for using the missile threat as an excuse to make a major and ill-advised change in military policy. (signed) Neb/jr/jo/plm 28-Jul-1999 02:55 AM LOC (28-Jul-1999 0655 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
