
Mainichi Shimbun, July 12, 2003
The Defense Agency plans to introduce a controversial missile defense (MD) system developed by the United States as a measure against possible attacks by North Korean missiles...
...Legally, experts have said that the launch of interceptor missiles from Japan against enemy missiles targeting a third country would constitute a collective defense, an act banned under the war-renouncing Constitution. Defense officials insist that by using an Aegis vessel's radar, they would be able to learn if the target of the incoming missiles was Japan or not.