Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

`As I promised in the election, my immediate task is to resolutely deal with North Korea. Therefore, a strong foreign policy is necessary,` Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said today.

Japan is largely relying on its two-tiered ballistic missile defense (BMD) system to deal with regional threats.

Japan’s BMD system is considered very modern, but still has many limitations.

However, the Hwasong-12 missiles launched by North Korea over Japanese territory in August and September all had trajectories that exceeded the range of the Aegis system on US and Japanese warships, High Altitude Missile Defense System.

To fill this gap, Japan will have to accelerate its plan to purchase the Aegis Ashore system, equipped with more modern interceptor missiles, which are said to be a better interception solution than the current BMD system.

Japan’s Patriot PAC-3 air defense system.

However, Tokyo also faces many legal barriers in its defense strategy.

Accordingly, within a few seconds after North Korea launches the missile, the Japanese military will have to verify the trajectory of the projectile.

This significantly limits Tokyo’s ability to cope with the threat from Pyongyang’s ballistic missiles, because the distance from North Korea to Japan is very short, leaving Japanese leaders with very little time to react to the missile.

To increase deterrence, the Japanese military may have to consider developing pre-emptive capabilities.

This interpretation could allow Tokyo to attack another country before being threatened.

In recent years, Mr. Abe has actively lobbied for efforts to reinterpret the constitution to create conditions for the Japanese military to play a more active role in the regional security structure and deal with threats.

Warships equipped with the Aegis system are Japan’s longest-range shield today.

Analysts predict that Prime Minister Abe will still encounter many difficulties when finding ways to develop attack capabilities for the Japanese military.

However, when faced with threats of destruction from Pyongyang, Tokyo will have to do everything in its power to protect the country.