Japan is considering installing the US missile defence system Aegis on ships. The system should protect the Japanese against possible missile attacks by North Korea.

Aegis was actually supposed to be placed on land, but the government decided to suspend that project earlier this year.

The purchase of the American system is a sensitive issue in Japan. Installing the Aegis systems costs billions of dollars, and there were concerns about the safety of local residents.

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi has now said the government is committed to “two ships with the Aegis system”.

The placement of Aegis on ships still has to be formally approved by the cabinet. This is expected to happen before the end of the year.

An insider states that the costs of the project could be considerably higher if the missile defence system is not placed on the land. This can also lead to years of delay.