Japan has right to pre-emptive strike: minister

Any sign that Japan was moving to develop such a capability in response to North Korea's nuclear program could upset neighbors China and South Korea, which have reacted strongly in the past to suggestions it might do so.

“When an intention to attack Japan is evident, the threat is imminent, and there are no other options, Japan is allowed under the law to carry out strikes against enemy targets,” Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told Reuters in an interview.

“Given Japan's political environment and the peace-oriented diplomacy it has observed, this is not the time to make preparations (for building such capability).

“But we need to carefully observe the changing security environment in the region.”

North Korea conducted its third nuclear test on Tuesday, drawing condemnation from the United States, Japan, Europe and the North's only major ally, China.

Onodera said Japan needed to strengthen its ballistic missile defense in view of the North Korean threat.

“Japan, the United States and South Korea managed to respond well to North Korea's missile launch on Dec. 12. But North Korea is expected to boost various capabilities further. We need to improve corresponding capabilities as well.”

Envoy to visit China

Japan will next week send a foreign ministry official to Beijing for three days for talks on an ongoing territorial dispute and North Korea's recent nuclear test, a report said Saturday.

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