Tokyo, July 30 (Jiji Press)–A study team set up by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Thursday proposed that the country acquire the capability to block ballistic missiles even in enemy territory.

The country should consider the matter within the scope of the Constitution, said the team, led by former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.

The team came up with the proposal in response to improved missile technology in countries such as North Korea.

The LDP team will submit the proposal to the Japanese government as soon as early next week.

In 2017, the LDP proposed that the country obtain the capability to strike enemy bases, drawing concerns that the possession of such an ability could be regarded as holding a pre-emptive attack capability.

This time, the study team did not use the word “enemy base attack capability” or refer to specific equipment.

Citing increased airborne threats such as those from hypersonic weapons and swarms of drones, the team urged Japan to improve its detecting ability by introducing small satellite constellations and long-endurance drones while strengthening its existing ground radar systems and antiair missiles.

The team also highlighted the need to boost the country’s intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability in new fields such as space, cyberspace and electromagnetic waves.

The LDP team urged the Japanese government to improve the integrated air and missile defense capability through cooperation with the United States while maintaining their respective roles under the bilateral alliance.

The team launched its discussions in late June after the Japanese government gave up its plan to deploy the Aegis Ashore land-based missile defense system.