敵基地攻撃は「検討継続」　結論先送り、１８日閣議決定―政府

　安倍晋三前首相が年内に結論を得る考えを示していた「敵基地攻撃能力」の保持について、政府が年明け以降も期限を区切らずに検討を続けることが１０日、分かった。こうした方針を１８日に閣議決定する。衆院選を１年以内に控え、与党内にも慎重論のある敵基地攻撃の議論を事実上、先送りする。複数の政府・与党関係者が明らかにした。
　閣議決定案は２本柱の構成。一つは政府が導入を断念した陸上配備型迎撃ミサイルシステム「イージス・アショア」の代替策となる「イージス・システム搭載艦」を建造する方針を明記する。
　もう一つは国産開発中の「１２式地対艦誘導弾（ＳＳＭ）」を長射程化し、敵の脅威圏外から対処する「スタンド・オフ・ミサイル」に変える計画だ。敵基地攻撃能力は「抑止力の強化」などの表現で、引き続き検討することを盛り込む。（2020/12/10-15:04）

The Japanese government will continue discussions on whether to acquire enemy base strike capabilities into next year without setting a deadline although former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe aimed to reach a conclusion on the matter by the end of this year, it was learned Thursday.
   The cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is slated to approve this policy at its meeting on Dec. 18, government and ruling coalition sources said.
   With less than a year until the next election for the House of Representatives, the all-important lower chamber of the Diet, the country's parliament, the government is effectively putting off discussions on enemy base strike capabilities, toward which there is opposition even among ruling bloc lawmakers.
   The cabinet decision slated for Dec. 18 would have two pillars. One of them is constructing Aegis system-equipped destroyers as a substitute for an Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system, whose introduction has been abandoned. The other is converting the Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missiles into long-range "standoff missiles" capable of attacking from beyond areas threatened by enemies.
   The cabinet decision is expected to show the government's intention to continue talks on the issue of enemy base strike capabilities, saying that ways to "boost deterrence" will be discussed, the sources said.