Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Dec. 28 that Japan’s decision to acquire two Aegis Ashore missile defense systems will affect ties between both countries.
By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet (Aegis Ashore Missile Defense Complex Romania) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
“We see this move by Japan as running counter to efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.”
Zakharova added that those installations could allow the United States to install offensive weapons in Japan due to their use of the Mark 41 Vertical Launching System (Mk 41 VLS).