Govt sets terms for missile interceptor transfer

Japan would allow the United States to transfer a missile interceptor under joint development by the two nations to third parties, on the condition that the third parties can effectively control its re-export, according to draft guidelines compiled by the government.

The draft guidelines set criteria for making judgment on permitting the export of the next-generation Standard Missile-3 Block IIA interceptor, which is to be positioned on a sea-based destroyer as part of the Japan-U.S. missile defense system, sources said Thursday.

The draft stipulates that Japan would allow the transfer on two conditions:

• Third-party nations have domestic systems for export control and information integrity, and are members of international frameworks on these matters.
• The transfer contributes to Japan's security given the threat of ballistic missiles from North Korea and other nations.

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