THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
February 28, 2023 at 12:31 JST
A Tomahawk cruise missile launched from a U.S. Navy ship (Captured from U.S. Navy website)
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Feb. 27 that Japan will buy 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles, breaking his silence on the size of the weapons deal with the United States.
He revealed the figure at the Lower House Budget Committee session.
“People are highly interested in (the topic),” Kishida said about why he announced the number. “In the United States, the maximum number (of Tomahawk missiles) that could be sold will be published.”
The Defense Ministry had earlier said it planned to buy up to 500 Tomahawk missiles.
However, Kishida did not confirm a number, saying the government “will not reveal its hand.”
The government has earmarked 211.3 billion yen ($1.55 billion) in the initial budget plan for fiscal 2023 to buy Tomahawk missiles to enhance Japan’s defense capabilities.
The U.S.-made missiles could be used to strike enemy bases that are planning an attack against Japan.
Kishida did not reveal how much Japan would pay for each Tomahawk missile.
(This article was written by Naoki Matsuyama and Shino Matsuyama.)
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