Japan Calls China Unprecedented Challenge in Security Shift

  • Raytheon Tomahawk missiles included on shopping list
  • Defense Ministry plans to develop its own hypersonic missiles

Military vessels, including Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force's ship "Izumo" off Kanagawa Prefecture.

Source: STR/AFP/Getty Images

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Japan will describe China as an “unprecedented strategic challenge” in a new national security policy, according to a draft seen by Bloomberg.

The new strategy, expected to get the green light from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet Friday, also lays out plans for Japan to obtain longer-range missiles — including developing its own hypersonic weapons — as part of a radical upgrade of its defense capabilities. Kishida is set to give a news conference in Tokyo focusing on the changes at 6 p.m.