Japan plans countermeasures against Chinese electromagnetic attacks

Tokyo/ Beijing: Japan has taken swift steps to counter the possible attacks of ‘Electromagnetic Pulse Weapons’ (EMP Weapons) from China. Under this, some bases and divisional headquarters that are part of Japan’s defence forces will be moved to underground spaces. At the same time, ‘EMP filters’ will also be set up at some airports in Japan. The Japanese government announced a new national security policy last year and has made provisions in this regard. The leading Japanese daily ‘Yomiuri Shimbun’ has published news about this.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has made major aggressive changes in his country’s defence policy. Along with the defence preparedness against China, Taiwan’s security has also been highlighted. Japan has clearly mentioned this in its new National Security Policy. Under this, Japan will produce medium and long-range missiles. Last week, Japan announced the deployment of an air defence system on Yonaguni Island, which is 100 kilometres from Taiwan.

Considering various potential attacks from China on all sides, Japan has started taking steps. Various reports and media have revealed that China and North Korea are developing an ‘Electromagnetic Pulse Weapon’. In 2021, a report released by the US Department of Defense warned of huge investment from China in the technology of ‘EMP Weapons’. The South China Morning Post also reported that China’s People’s Liberation Army had tested EMP weapons.

Keeping this in mind, Japan has started actions to counter a possible ‘EMP Weapons’ attack from both China and North Korea. Accordingly, the headquarters of ‘Camp Naha’, ‘Yonaguni Camp’, ‘Kengoon Camp’, which are part of the Japanese Army, and the Japanese Navy headquarters in the ‘Maizuri District’ will be moved underground. The Japanese daily reported that the Naha and Yonaguni bases are closer to Taiwan, so they are more at risk.

Apart from Army and Navy bases, separate plans have been made for airports. A system named ‘Power Supply Filter’ will be deployed at five important airports in Japan. These bases include Nitahara, Tsuiki, Chitose, Fuchu and Naha.

In the National Security Policy announced last year, there was a mention of further development of the country’s defence capabilities. It provides more than ¥36 billion in funds for developing and improving key defence facilities. The Japanese daily said that the process of relocating the headquarters of the military and naval bases to the underground space would be started from this fund.

An electromagnetic field of high intensity is generated through ‘EMP Weapons’. Due to this electromagnetic field, all electronic devices and systems in a large area fail. It also includes the radar used for the defence forces and the ‘navigation system’. Such an attack can completely disable fighter jets and missiles.

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