Vocabulary:
- surveillance – a continuous observation of place, person, group or ongoing activity in order to gather information
US is in close surveillance of possible missile threat launch by North Korea. - ballistic – a missile with a high, arching trajectory, that is initially powered and guided but falls under gravity onto its target
Countries such as North Korea, US, France, China have ballistic missiles. - alliance – a formal agreement or treaty between two or more nations to cooperate for specific purposes
Japan has an alliance with US. - scope – extent or range of view, outlook, application, operation, effectiveness
Joint military exercises aims to broaden the scope of strategies.
Japan has joined a U.S. military supply ship off to Boso Peninsula with the Maritime Self-Defense Force’s helicopter destroyer – Izumo. This is to guard the supply ship who will provide fuels for a U.S. Aegis destroyer and the Carl Vinson group that are engaged in surveillance of possible ballistic missile launches by North Korea. This was ordered by Defense Minister Tomomi Inada at the request of U.S. military under March of last year’s law.
The mission is intended to show the strength of the Japan-U.S. Security alliance. It was made possible as the laws widen the scope of protection during peacetime or in “gray zone” situations. This does not involve an armed attack to include equipment of U.S. and other military forces that are committed in activities to defend Japan in cooperation with the Maritime Force.
True or False:
- Japan is the only vessel to sail off to Boso Peninsula.
- Izumo will guard the supply ship who will provide fuels.
- U.S. will possibly launch a ballistic missile.
- The mission was made possible as the laws widen the scope of protection during peacetime.
- The mission includes armed attack of U.S. and other military forces.
Express your opinion:
- Do you think Japan and U.S. will be successful with this mission?
- Was Defense Minister Tomomi Inada right for commanding such escort mission?
- Is U.S. military really there to help check North Korea or trying to cooperate with North Korea?
- Do you think this mission will really strengthen security-alliance between Japan and U.S.?
- Which country do you think would participate in helping Japan with this North Korea Ballistic missile launch issue?
Defend your argument:
- Japan plans to reinforce it’s missile defenses.
- Strong protests had been lodged with North Korea for a series of Nuclear and missile test.