Plan to deploy Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in Japan canceled - Kyodo

The Japanese authorities decided to cancel the plan to deploy US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense systems in Akita and Yamaguchi prefectures. This was reported with reference to Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono on June 25 by Kyodo. According to the agency, the decision to finally refuse to deploy missile defense in these prefectures was made on June 24 at a meeting of the National Security Council of Japan. According to the news agency, acting Pentagon Assistant Head for Security in the Indo-Pacific Region David Helvey on June 18 said that the United States, together with Japan, is looking for a solution to allow the deployment of Aegis Ashore missile defense systems on the territory of the Far Eastern partner of the States. Recall, on June 15, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono announced plans to abandon the deployment of two American Aegis Ashore land complexes in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the southwest of Honshu Island and in Akita Prefecture in the north of the island. See also: Japan rejected the assumption of the possible deployment of US missiles