For years, Japan has contemplated developing a “counterstrike capability” against potential North Korean and Chinese nuclear weapons. The Kishida administration drafted this concept in Japan’s new National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.  

These counterstrike capabilities appear roughly parallel to South Korea’s Kill Chain concept: the ability to detect, track and destroy adversary nuclear weapons and their delivery means (mainly missiles and aircraft) before they can be launched. Both the ROK and Japan have concluded that the North Korean nuclear weapon threat has grown so large and perilous that even good missile and air defenses