TOKYO - Japan said Monday it was considering whether a pre-emptive strike
on the North's missile bases would violate its constitution, suggesting it
could take stronger action against the nation if the U.N. Security Council
rejects its resolution calling for sanctions.
Japan was badly rattled by North Korea's missile tests last week and several
government officials openly discussed whether the country ought to take steps to
better defend itself, including setting up the legal framework to allow Tokyo to
launch a pre-emptive strike against Northern missile sites.
"If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack ... there is
the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the
constitutional right of self-defense. We need to deepen discussion," Chief
Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.
Japan's constitution currently bars the use of military force in settling
international disputes and prohibits Japan from maintaining a military for
warfare. Tokyo, however, has interpreted that to mean it can have armed troops
to protect itself, allowing the existence of its 240,000-strong Self-Defense
Forces.
Despite resistance from China and Russia, Japan has pushed for a U.N.
Security Council resolution that would prohibit nations from procuring missiles
or missile-related "items, materials goods and technology" from North Korea. A
vote was possible in New York later Monday.
"It's important for the international community to express a strong will in
response to the North Korean missile launches," Abe said. "This resolution is an
effective way of expressing that."
China and Russia, both nations with veto power on the council, have voiced
opposition to the measure. Kyodo News agency reported Monday, citing unnamed
Chinese diplomatic sources, that China may use its veto on the Security Council
to block the resolution.
The United States, Britain and France have expressed support for the
proposal, while Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso has said there is a
possibility that Russia will abstain.
South Korea, not a council member, has not publicly taken a position on the
resolution, but on Sunday Seoul rebuked Japan for its outspoken criticism of the
tests.
"There is no reason to fuss over this from the break of dawn like Japan, but
every reason to do the opposite," a statement from President Roh Moo-hyun's
office said, suggesting that Tokyo was contributing to tensions on the Korean
Peninsula.
Meanwhile, a Chinese delegation
including the country's top nuclear envoy -- Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei
-- arrived in North Korea on Monday, officially to attend celebrations marking
the 45th anniversary of a friendship treaty between the North and China.
Talks have been deadlocked since November because of a boycott by Pyongyang
in protest of a crackdown by Washington on the regime's alleged money-laundering
and other financial crimes.
Beijing has suggested an informal gathering of the six nations, which could
allow the North to technically stand by its boycott, but at the same time meet
with the other five parties -- South Korea, China, the U.S., Japan and Russia.
The U.S. has backed the idea and said Washington could meet with the North on
the sidelines of such a meeting.
In Tokyo, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met with Aso on
Monday as part of a tour through the region to coordinate strategy on North
Korea. Hill has emphasized the need for countries involved to present a united
front.
"We want to make it very clear that we all speak in one voice on this
provocative action by the North Koreans to launch missiles in all shapes and
sizes," Hill said. "We want to make it clear to North Korea that what it did was
really unacceptable."
