Few areas in international relations are more foreboding than the Korean peninsula, low-level tensions have long simmered here and are now boiling over. The North Korean missile tests that have taken place over the past few years have caused a great level of anxiety, both in the country itself and in the countries that it borders. Japan, in particular, have found themselves directly in the crosshairs as they have faced increased missile tests from the North of late. The rising tensions have caused Japan to consider upping its own deterrence capabilities in the face of the mounting threat. In this article, we will discuss the state of affairs in the Korean peninsula, the impact that North Korea’s missile tests have had on Japan, and how Japan is attempting to bolster its own deterrence to stay safe in light of the North Koreans’ aggressive actions.
The Situation on the Korean Peninsula
The situation in the Korean peninsula has been complicated. North Korea and South Korea have technically been at war since the 1950s, when the North and South both declared their independence from the Japanese. The North, backed by the Chinese, took the offensive and captured much of the South, only for the tide to turn and the two sides eventually signing an armistice in 1953 and a peace agreement in 1965. Since then, tensions have remained low but with occasional flare ups. In recent years, the tension has increased substantially, with the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States in 2016. Some have argued that Trump’s hawkish stance on North Korea has been responsible for the uptick in aggressive behavior that we have seen since he took office.
The Impact of North Korean Missiles
The most concerning aspect of the current situation has been the rise in North Korean missiles tests. In recent months and years, the North Koreans have conducted numerous missile tests and have been ramping up the number of tests that they are carrying out. The missile tests have caused a great deal of alarm and anxiety in the region, with many countries feeling directly in their crosshairs. Japan, in particular, has felt the threat posed by the North Korean missiles more than any other country. North Korean missiles have been tested in the vicinity of Japan, leading to more and more of the nation’s citizens feeling increasingly concerned about their safety and security. The worry has led to an increase in anti-missile defense systems being set up in the area, in addition to a rethinking of the country’s own defense capabilities.
Japan’s Response to the Missile Threat
How has Japan responded to the increased missile activity from North Korea? In order to better protect its citizens from any potential missile activity, Japan has undertaken a number of measures. The first has been to increase spending on its own anti-missile defense systems. Japan has been upgrading its existing missile defense systems, and has also been working on improving its Aegis radar systems in order to better detect any incoming missiles. Alongside this renewed effort to bolster its own defenses, Japan has also been working to expand its network of strategic allies and partnerships within the region. Japan has strengthened its ties with the United States and South Korea, as well as with China, in order to better ensure its own security.
The current situation in the Korean peninsula is a dangerous one. The frequent missile tests that we have seen from the North Koreans have caused a great deal of concern in the region, particularly in Japan which is directly in the line of sight of any potential missile strikes. In order to better protect its citizens and its sovereignty, Japan has had to make moves to both upgrade its own missile defense systems and expand its partnerships in the region. These steps, while necessary, are also indicative of the worry and tension that is growing in the area. The hope is that the response to the current crisis will not result in a conflict, but rather a peaceful resolution that can help bring about lasting stability in the Korean peninsula.
