Japan is considering using a large ship as an alternative to the scrapped U.S.-made Aegis Ashore missile defense system as part of efforts to counter missile threats posed by North Korea, according to government sources.
The sources said Saturday the Defense Ministry is mulling the use of a 9,000-ton ship on which to mount the new Aegis system and allocate wider living space for crew. If realized, it would be the largest Aegis-equipped vessel of the Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The decision will be made around year-end after the ministry receives an interim report in mid-November from two private firms familiar with the issue.