Exploring F-22 version for Japan; Japan's LDP backs pre-emptive strike capability against North Korea
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  • The Senate Appropriations Committee's Defense Sub-Committee is considering requiring the U.S. Air Force to study the viability of creating an export version of the Lockheed Martin Corp, F-22 fighter jet. Japan for years has expressed interest in buying two squadrons of its own F-22s, which could translate into orders of 40 to 60 more airplanes for Lockheed, said defense analyst Loren Thompson of the Virginia-based Lexington Institute1. The U.S. Air Force estimates it would cost Japan as much as $250 million per plane to buy dozens of radar-evading F-22 fighter jets, a U.S. senator told Japan's ambassador in a letter, saying he hopes to reverse a current U.S. ban on such exports2.

    Meanwhile, there have been discussions by the defence panel of Japan's ruling party on which suggest that despite its pacifist constitution, Japan should be able to launch a pre-emptive strike against North Korea to stop any imminent attack.

    The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)'s defence policy committee also argued that Japan should develop new spy satellites to provide advance warning of a missile launch without having to rely on US or other allies' intelligence3. On the other hand a revised draft Security Council resolution outlined by seven key United Nations members on North Korea's second nuclear test would obligate all U.N. members to inspect North Korean cargo if it is suspected of carrying nuclear or missile-related items, U.N. diplomatic sources said4.

    In other developments, Japan’s ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, flew from Washington to San Antonio on May 30, to deliver his country’s first in-person apology before the 64th reunion of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor. Many of the 73 surviving veterans in attendance welcomed the apology, but not all. Some survivors criticized the address, feeling the speech lacked sincerity5.

    There are also reports which suggest that senior officials from Japan, the United States and China are looking to hold their first trilateral policy dialogue in Washington around July to discuss issues of common interest6.

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