TOKYO, December 20. /TASS/. Japan’s plans to install the US Aegis Ashore missile defense systems are entirely defensive and pose no threat to Russia or any other neighboring states, the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s press service told TASS while commenting on concerns voiced by Moscow and Beijing.
"The efforts that our country has been making in the missile defense field are purely defensive, Japan operates such systems independently," the ministry’s spokesman said. "They pose no threat to Russia or any other neighboring state. By using various opportunities, we have many times notified Russia about that, particularly at the recent meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers," he added.
On Tuesday, Japan’s government made a decision to expand the country’s missile defense shield with the US-made Aegis Ashore missile defense systems, which are supposed to help ensure the country’s security from possible ballistic and cruise missile attacks.
China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday expressed concern over Tokyo’s decision, which, according to Beijing, may affect global security and trust among nations. Russia has also many times voiced concern over Japan’s plans to introduce the Aegis Ashore systems. In particular, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that it directly influenced Moscow’s security interests. As for Europe, such systems have already been installed in Romania and will soon be deployed to Poland.