DATE=7/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=JAPAN / DEFENSE REPORT (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252196
BYLINE=KARRIN AMEDEO
DATELINE=TOKYO
INTERNET=Y
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: Japan has warned in its annual White Paper on 
Defense that North Korea's missile program and its 
suspected nuclear weapons development poses a grave 
threat to the world.  The report, released Tuesday,  
comes as the United States, Japan and South Korea have 
all expressed concern that Pyongyang is ready to test 
fire an upgraded missile capable of reaching the 
United States. Karrin Amodeo reports from Tokyo. 

TEXT:  Japan's annual review of international security 
threats focused mainly on North Korea.  Japan was 
shocked last year when Pyongyang test fired a 
Taepodong missile that flew over the country and 
landed in the Pacific Ocean. // OPT // Japan was also 
alarmed in March when two North Korean vessels thought 
to be spy ships entered Japanese waters. //END OPT // 

The White Paper says that North Korea has quickly 
developed its ballistic weaponry and predicts the 
range of the missiles is getting longer.  It noted 
that the famine stricken country devotes 25 percent of 
its gross national product to modernizing and 
strengthening its military. The latest concern is that 
North Korea will test fire an upgraded ballistic 
missile this summer. 

The White Paper also contained an unusual addition.  
It questioned how far Japan could extend its right to 
self-defense in the event of a missile attack.  This 
is a controversial issue in Japan and has been debated 
in parliament recently.  But the Defense Agency Deputy 
Director, General Nobumasu Ohta, denied that Japan 
would have the military capabilities to physically 
launch a pre-emptive strike against Pyongyang. 

The White Paper also touched on new laws that tighten 
defense ties between Japan and the United States.
The report did  not  define just what geographical 
area is covered by arrangement, and whether Taiwan is 
included.  Taiwan is a potential flashpoint because of 
its tense political relationship with China. Beijing 
considers Taiwan a renegade province and has sworn to 
reunify the island state with the mainland.(Signed)

neb/ka/gc/jo/kl


27-Jul-1999 08:27 AM LOC (27-Jul-1999 1227 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.