Japan successfully shoots down scud missile

Telegraph:

Japan has shot down a ballistic missile for the first time, signalling an escalation in Asia’s regional arms race.

A Japanese warship stationed off Hawaii launched a US-developed interceptor missile to destroy a test missile fired from onshore.

The test was carried out with American assistance.

Analysts claimed the test will strengthen a US-Japan security alliance but it could also aggravate regional tensions.

Tokyo has invested heavily in missile defence since North Korea test-fired a long-range missile over northern Japan in 1998.

A Japanese government spokesman described the test as significant for Japan’s national security.

“The defence ministry and the government have been putting efforts into the development of ballistic missile defence, and we will continue to install the needed equipment and conduct exercises,” he said.

Experts said the missile resembled “a North Korean scud-like missile,” which was fired from the US Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

A Japanese vessel, the JS Kongo, tracked the missile and then fired its interceptor after three minutes, destroying the target some 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean.

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The article does not mention any Russian generals threatening to target Japanese ships. The launch is further evidence that the Democrats have been wrong about missile defense for years. I think the cooperation with the Japanese also demonstrates how wrong the Democrats and Huckabee are when they talk about there being less cooperation with the US now.