Trump: ‘Japan could shoot down North Korean missiles’

DONALD Trump said Japan could shoot North Korean missiles “out of the sky” with military equipment bought from the US.

Donald Trump says Japan could shoot down North Korean missiles. Picture: AFP.

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has said Japan could shoot North Korean missiles “out of the sky” with military equipment bought from the US.

Japan’s PM Shinzo Abe followed up by saying his country could intercept missiles “if necessary”, and added that he was looking into the deal.

The two leaders were speaking to reporters at the close of Mr Trump’s first state visit to Japan.

“He will shoot ‘em out of the sky when he completes the purchase of lots of additional military equipment from the United States,” Mr Trump said of Mr Abe.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) during a news conference at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on November 6, 2017. Picture: AFP.

Japan, under its war-renouncing Constitution, can shoot down a missile only when it is aimed at the country or in case debris are falling on to its territory.

It is not clear whether a military deal has been signed during Mr Trump’s trip, but the two countries are close military allies with the US maintaining several military bases in Japan.

In September Mr Trump had tweeted that he would allow the sale of high-end military equipment to Japan and South Korea.

I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2017

Mr Trump’s trip abroad comes amid dismal ratings among voters for the first-time president and questions about whether he can handle the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

Standing in an Asia capital in range of North Korea’s missiles, Mr Trump defended his fiery language, declaring Pyongyang “a threat to the civilised world.”

Mr Abe, who has taken a more hawkish view on North Korea than some of his predecessors, agreed with Mr Trump’s assessment that “all options are on the table” when dealing with Kim Jong Un and announced new sanctions against several dozen North Korea individuals.

This file photo by the North Korean government, shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, at an undisclosed location in North Korea. Picture:

Japan is already seeking money to purchase upgraded SM3 interceptors with greater accuracy and range, as well as other advanced missile defence systems such as land-based Aegis Ashore interceptors or the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, a US mobile antimissile system installed in South Korea.

Donald Trump described North Korea's nuclear missile program as a "threat" to the world on a trip to Asia dominated by the crisis. Picture: AFP.

An instalment of THAAD in Japan would further escalate reaction from Beijing, which has already baulked at the instalment of THAAD in South Korea, saying its advanced radar system can monitor deep into China.