Kihara made this announcement during a press briefing in Washington after holding his inaugural face-to-face discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin.

The decision to fast-track the acquisition comes in light of the deteriorating security environment in Asia, marked by increasing challenges posed by nations such as China, North Korea, and Russia.

Kihara, who assumed office in a mid-September Cabinet reshuffle, emphasized the need for Japan to enhance its capabilities in response to these evolving threats.

During their meeting, Kihara and Austin reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance's deterrence and response capabilities. In the face of modern security challenges, both nations expressed a shared interest in adapting and upgrading their roles and missions to effectively address regional security concerns.

Japan's move to procure 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles is part of its strategic preparations to bolster "counterstrike" capabilities. This capability enables Japan to strike enemy bases if the situation necessitates such action. The Tomahawk missiles, with a strike range of approximately 1,600 kilometers, offer Japan an extended reach to respond to potential threats in the region.

The decision underscores Japan's proactive stance in aligning its defense strategy with the evolving geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring regional stability and security in collaboration with its U.S. allies. (ILKHA)