US, Japan Sign Joint Missile Defense Deal

Posted on: Jun. 23rd, 2006 || Source: abcnews.go.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

TOKYO Jun 23, 2006 (AP)— Japan and the United States signed an agreement Friday to expand their cooperation on a joint ballistic missile defense shield, moving to protect themselves amid signs North Korea could test a ballistic missile.

The pact, signed by Foreign Minister Taro Aso and U.S. Ambassador Thomas Schieffer, commits them to joint production of missiles to intercept incoming missiles, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The agreement had been previously negotiated and was not triggered by emerging fears that North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile, officials said. There has been speculation that the United States could try to intercept the missile if it is fired.

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