A Self-Defense Force's surface-to-ship guided missile (Provided by Defense Ministry)
A new missile defense policy directive approved by the Suga administration makes no mention of whether Japan should acquire first-strike capability against enemy targets, but says plans are on track to develop longer-range cruise missiles.
Strengthening Japan's deterrent capability was a major policy pillar advocated by Suga's predecessor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
When Abe in June announced that the government would abandon plans to purchase the costly U.S.-developed land-based Aegis Ashore missile defense system, he stated that a new national security directive was necessary and that discussions could not be put off on whether Japan should acquire first-strike capability.