The U.S. and Japan have agreed to deploy a second advanced missile defense radar in Japan to counter missile attacks from North Korea, the New York Times reports.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the missile defense system is designed to help defend Japan against threats from North Korea, Thom Shanker and Ian Johnson report.
Reports surfaced in August on the deployment of the X-band radar system in Southern Japan and one is already located in Shariki, the report said.
Panetta is traveling to Asia for a weeklong visit, during which he will address U.S. plans to shift national security attention and resources on the Asian region, the Times reports.
Panetta will also meet with the man expected to be China’s next president, Xi Jinping.
Due to ongoing territorial disputes in Asia, Shi Yinhong, a professor of international studies at Renmin University in Beijing, told the Times the joint missile defense system would allow Japan to be more aggressive due to U.S. backing.
