News analysis
Japan's U-turn on deploying Aegis Ashore shield 'prudent'
Expert says missile technology in region has outpaced capability of US defence system
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Japan has effectively ditched its controversially troubled plans to deploy the United States' land-based Aegis Ashore anti-ballistic missile defence system, after years of saying this was required to fight the North Korea threat.
The system was said to be needed to complete a defence triangle with its fleet of naval-based Aegis-equipped destroyers and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile batteries.
