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DATE=3/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246738
TITLE=JAPAN / DEFENSE (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=STEVE HERMAN
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  
INTRO:  JAPAN'S PARLIAMENT IS IN THE MIDST OF INTENSE DEBATE 
ABOUT  WHETHER THE COUNTRY SHOULD GO AHEAD WITH RESEARCH ON A  
THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM . AS STEVE HERMAN REPORTS FROM 
TOKYO, JAPANESE OFFICIALS SAY A SYSTEM TO DEFEND THE NATION 
AGAINST ATTACK MAY BE NECESSARY, BUT ARE ALSO TRYING TO CALM 
NEIGHBORS' FEARS THAT IT  MIGHT  HAVE OFFENSIVE CAPABILITIES. 
TEXT:  BECAUSE OF LINGERING ASIAN SUSPICIONS ABOUT JAPAN'S LEGACY
OF  MILITARISM, JAPANESE  STATEMENTS ABOUT DEFENSE MATTERS  ARE 
USUALLY CAREFULLY WORDED.  BUT PRIME MINISTER KEIZO OBUCHI AND 
HIS FOREIGN MINISTER, MASAHIKO KOMURA, ARE MAKING SOME UNUSUALLY 
BLUNT STATEMENTS IN PARLIAMENT IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS  ABOUT AN
AMERICAN-PROPOSED THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM OR T-M-D.
THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS THAT IN LIGHT OF RECENT ACTIVITIES IN THE
REGION -- A REFERENCE TO THE LAUNCH OF A THREE-STAGE NORTH KOREAN
ROCKET WHICH FLEW OVER JAPAN  LAST AUGUST -- TOKYO  MUST CARRY 
OUT RESEARCH ON A T-M-D.   THE FOREIGN MINISTER ADDS JAPAN  MUST 
HAVE AN EFFECTIVE DEFENSE AGAINST  BALLISTIC MISSILE ATTACKS.
BOTH OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN QUICK TO ADD JAPAN MUST LISTEN TO 
CONCERNS FROM NERVOUS NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY CHINA AND THE TWO 
KOREA'S.  THOSE NATIONS  RESPONDED SHARPLY TO SUGGESTIONS EARLIER
THIS MONTH FROM JAPAN'S DEFENSE MINISTER , THAT TOKYO MIGHT 
CONSIDER PREEMPTIVE STRIKES AGAINST A MISSILE THREAT FROM OTHER 
COUNTRIES.
FOREIGN MINISTER KOMURA TOLD PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY, THE T-M-D 
WOULD BE PURELY DEFENSIVE AND WILL NEVER POSE ANY MILITARY THREAT
TO OTHER COUNTRIES. 
THE PARLIAMENT DEBATE HERE TOOK PLACE AS WORD CAME FROM NEW YORK 
OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND NORTH KOREA, THAT 
WOULD ALLOW AMERICAN INSPECTORS TO VISIT SUSPECTED NUCLEAR 
WEAPONS SITES NORTHWEST OF PYONGYANG.  IN RETURN, WASHINGTON IS 
PROMISING TO SEND EXPERTS TO HELP INCREASE THE POTATO HARVEST IN 
THE FAMINE-STRICKEN COUNTRY.
JAPANESE OFFICIALS ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF A RELIEF AND WELCOMING
THE AGREEMENT, HOPING THAT MIGHT MEAN NORTH KOREA WILL NOT CARRY 
OUT ANOTHER PROVOCATIVE BALLISTIC MISSILE TEST, WHICH WOULD 
FURTHER HEAT UP DEBATE HERE ABOUT REGIONAL SECURITY.  (SIGNED)
NEB/SH/FC
17-Mar-99 3:46 AM EST (0846 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.