Japan Wants Missile-Defense Net 'as Soon as Possible'

Japan's defense chief, Fukushiro Nukaga, says Tokyo wants to develop a
missile-defense system together with the United States as soon as possible. Nukaga
told parliament in Tokyo Thursday that Japan wants to speed up work it has
already begun, in cooperation with the United States, on a missile-interceptor network.

The two countries signed an agreement in June to work together on an
advanced ballistic missile defense shield, using interceptor missiles to shoot down
enemy rockets. While the new defense system is being developed, the United
States agreed to station Patriot interceptor missiles in Japan. Nukaga,
the head of Japan's Defense Agency, says Tokyo also wants to work with the
United States on building a surveillance radar network, presumably to
improve monitoring of North Korean military activities.

*日希望尽快研制导弹防御

日本防卫厅长官额贺福志郎说，东京希望尽快与美国共同研制导弹防御系统。额
贺福志郎星期四在东京对日本国会议员说，日本希望加快已经贻d始的与美国合作
研制导弹拦截系统的步伐。

美日两国6月签署协定，共同研制一套先进的弹道导弹防御系统，使用拦截导弹击
落敌方火箭。在新型防御系统研制期间，美国同意先在日本部署爱国者拦截导弹
。日本防卫厅长官额贺福志郎说，东京还希望与美国共同建立一套雷达监测网络
，可能是为了提高对北韩军事活动的监督能力。