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Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

the introduction is to prepare for emergencies on remote Japanese islands, while some experts believe the
government is also eyeing possession of the capability of attacking targets such as enemy bases for the purpose
of defending the country.

According to the sources, F-35 fighter jets that will replace the ASDF’s F-4 fighter aircraft are employed by U.S.
forces and others. The F-35 aircraft has an advanced stealth capability that makes the aircraft less visible on
enemy radar. The ASDF plans to introduce a total of 42 units of the F-35 and gradually deploy them to the
Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture starting at the end of this fiscal year. The government is considering
introducing some additional capabilities for the aircraft.

The most likely option the government is currently focusing on is the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) that is being
developed mainly by Norway, which also participated in an international project to develop the F-35. The ASDF
currently has no air-to-surface missile capabilities, but the JSM has both air-to-ship and air-to-surface
capabilities, with an estimated range of about 300 kilometers.

The Defense Ministry is building up national defense systems to defend remote islands, such as the Nansei Islands.
In addition to deploying new Osprey transport aircraft to the Ground Self-Defense Force, the ministry plans to
create an amphibious rapid deployment brigade, similar to other nations’ marines.

As an air-to-surface missile has a long range, it is possible to effectively strike a target from safe airspace. For
this to be possible, the ministry decided it was necessary to consider introducing the JSM to prepare for situations
such as preventing foreign military vessels from approaching remote islands or the SDF launching an operation to
regain control of an occupied island.

Meanwhile, if the F-35 aircraft with an advanced stealth capability is equipped with long-range air-to-surface
missiles, it will effectively be possible to use the F-35 to attack bases in foreign countries.

The government has said that the Constitution allows Japan to possess the capability of striking enemy bases, but
the nation does not actually possess the capability as its political decisions have been based on an exclusively
defense-oriented policy.

If Japan introduces air-to-surface missiles, it could prompt opposition from neighboring countries. Therefore, the
government is believed to be seeking the understanding of those countries by explaining that it does not intend to
use the capability to attack enemy bases, but to defend remote islands.

However, with North Korea continuing its nuclear and missile development programs and repeatedly conducting
provocative actions, there are growing calls for the government to possess the capability to strike enemy bases to
improve Japan’s deterrence.
Amid such a situation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed on multiple occasions his intention to consider the
issue. On June 20, the Liberal Democratic Party’s Research Commission on Security compiled an interim report on
proposals for the next medium-term defense program for fiscal 2019-23, in which it called for the government to
swiftly start discussions on possessing the capability to attack enemy bases.

Norwegian Joint Strike Missile Tests at Edwards AFB

2016-11-05 According to an article published on November 4, 2016 by Kenji Thulowei, Public Affairs Office
with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, the wing is in the process of conducting tests on the Norwegian
Joint Strike missile, which will eventually operate from the F-35.

Second Line of Defense

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