Japan to procure U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles

Japan is in the final stages of negotiations with Washington to procure U.S-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to reinforce its defense capabilities.

Tokyo is seeking its biggest arms build-up since World War Two in the face of Beijing’s rapid military modernization and increased activity in nearby waters.

Concern about Chinese military activity in the seas and skies around Taiwan and Japan has intensified since Russia invaded Ukraine in February because Japan worries it provides China with a precedent for the use of force against Taiwan.

China in August fired missiles into waters less than 160 km from Japan in a display of might, angered by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Also Read: U.S approves potential missile sale to Japan 

At the 20th Communist Party Congress last week, Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for accelerating plans to build a world-class military.

Xi said his country would never renounce the right to use force to resolve the Taiwan issue.

Tomahawks can hit targets from more than 1,000 km (620 miles) away, putting parts of China and the Russian Far East within range.

Zainab Sa’id