Japan has officially decided that it will build two more Aegis warships to replace the abandoned Aegis Ashore program, Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Wednesday.
Tokyo will also be extended the range of its indigenous Type 12 surface-to-ship missile.
Opposition lawmakers criticize the move to boost the range of the missile, saying that this is to make the weapon as a tool to attack enemy bases.
Chief cabinet secretary Kato explained that the range improvement was to extend the defense capabilities.