Top > Business > 2006 > July > 2006-07-11

Major Economy Considers N. Korea Strikes

According to unconfirmed reports, normally docile Japan is considering a pre-emptive strike against North Korean military facilities in an action that might violate its own post-war Constitution. The reports indicate how rattled Japan was by last week?s North Korean missile tests, and how extremely volatile the world economy is, and how very much hostage it may be being held by North Korea?s nuclear brinkmanship at the moment.

The Chief Secretary of the Japanese Cabinet, Shinzo Abe, told reporters that ?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.? Japan?s army is limited to a 240,000-strong Self-Defense Army, and might not even have the weapons capability to strike North Korea. Even so, this news is bound to not be forgotten by economic observers anywhere.

That Japan ? one of the world?s strongest economies ? is considering this sort of action might lead to a situation of further rising tensions frightening investors not only in Tokyo but London, Paris, and New York as well. The wavering of Russia and China on possible sanctions being included in a United Nations Security Council resolution only adds to the uncertainty and wobbliness in the international opposition to North Korea?s actions.