US State Department approves Japan missile sale
By Gao Shi
People's Daily app
1515545364000

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Washington (People's Daily) -- Media reports confirmed US Congress was notified on January 9 that the US State Department had approved a potential missile sale to Japan valued at $133 million.

Pending approval, the purchase will include four SM-3 anti-ballistic missiles and four MK 29 missile canisters, along with logistical, engineering, and technical support services. The Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program will oversee the transaction. 

US State Department said the sale would contribute to US foreign policy and national security interests.

During US President Donald Trump’s Asia tour last year, at a stopover in Japan he promoted American-made weapons to Tokyo leaders.

Trump said Japan could better protect itself if the country had US-made military weapons.  

In August, it was reported that Japan’s Ministry of Defense requested its largest budgetever of roughly $50 million for the 2018 fiscal year, marking a 2.5 percent increase from 2017.