Japan OKs U.S. Deploying (Patriot) Missiles

[Freddie Stubbs]

Patriot interceptor deal comes amid fears of N. Korea test launch

By Mari Yamaguchi
Associated Press
Published June 26, 2006


TOKYO -- Japan has agreed to a U.S. deployment of advanced Patriot interceptor missiles on American bases by the end of the year, officials said Monday, amid concerns that North Korea may be about to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.

The two sides agreed earlier this month on the U.S. plans to deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles--designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or aircraft--for the first time, a Defense Agency spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity.

The plan was first reported Monday in Japan's largest newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun.

The U.S. military would deploy three or four batteries of the surface-to-air missiles on the southern island of Okinawa along with 500 to 600 additional troops by the end of the year.

more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0606260179jun26,1,6110915.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

[Tempest]

1. Someone needs to point out to Japan

Just how poorly the Patriot missile is at striking its target.

Japan would be better off investing in catapults.

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. I suppose if they feel safer with the missiles, no one is harmed

North Korea wouldn't actually fire a missile at Japan, would they?

[leQ]

2. the buildup begins (eom)

[sabra]

3. U.S. Considers Deployment of Patriot Missiles in Japan

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1895933&C=asiapac

U.S. Considers Deployment of Patriot Missiles in Japan

The United States is considering deploying Patriot interceptor missiles in Japan amid fears North Korea will launch a long-range missile, the Defense Agency said June 26.

The deployment of the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles on the southern island chain of Okinawa would mark the first time the U.S. military has deployed surface-to-air missiles in Japan.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, citing unnamed government sources, said Washington told Tokyo at a June 17 working-level meeting in Hawaii of the plans to install three to four Patriot missiles at its Okinawa bases.

An additional 500 to 600 U.S. troops also would be deployed along with the PAC-3 missiles by the end of the year, Japan’s top-selling daily said.

[underpants]

4. Japan, U.S. to Deploy Missiles on U.S. Bases

same story

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2118670

TOKYO Jun 26, 2006 (AP)— Japan and the United States, facing North Korea's apparent plans to test-launch a long-range missile, have agreed to deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles on American bases in Japan for the first time, officials said Monday.

The U.S. plans to deploy the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or aircraft as soon as possible, a Japanese Defense Agency spokeswoman.

The spokeswoman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with agency policy, said the sites and exact timing for the deployment have not yet been decided.

The plan was first reported Monday in Japan's largest newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. It said the U.S. military would deploy three or four batteries of the surface-to-air missiles on the southern island of Okinawa by the end of the year and send 500-600 additional U.S. troops there.

[Lowell]

5. Wrong!

We have had missiles systems in Okinawa for years. I fired HAWK missiles out of Naha, Okinawa in the late 60s and early 70s. The HAWK system was a low altitude, high speed surface to air missile designed to take out incoming enemy aircraft. Their presence in Okinawa is common knowledge and often objected to by the local population.