Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi will announce Tokyo’s participation in the US Golden Dome missile shield during a meeting with President Donald Trump next week.

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to announce Tokyo’s participation in the US “Golden Dome” missile defence system during a meeting with President Donald Trump next week.

The Yomiuri daily, citing unnamed government sources, reported that Takaichi will discuss the initiative during a planned March 19 meeting in Washington.

The aim is for the allies to jointly develop interceptors and a satellite network to counter hypersonic glide vehicles pursued by China and Russia.

These vehicles are said to be capable of flying at speeds of at least Mach 5.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth last year billed the Golden Dome as a next-generation shield that “will progressively protect our nation from aerial attacks from any foe.”

The system is envisioned to include space-based interceptors and sensors.

By participating, Japan seeks to boost its own self-defence capabilities.

The move aligns with Japan’s recent shift from a strict pacifist stance, including moves to obtain “counterstrike” capabilities.

The government has also doubled military spending to two percent of GDP.

In December, it approved a record budget including nine trillion yen (USD 56.5 billion) for defence spending for the upcoming fiscal year.

 The Sun Malaysia