US and Japan agreed to deploy advanced missile defense system

The United States and Japan on 17 September 2012, announced an agreement to set up second advanced missile defense radar on Japanese province. It is an effort which is distinctively designed to counter the ballistic missile threat from North Korea.

The radar which is named as X-band radar is meant to protect Japan as well as the U.S. homeland.

The United States and its allies in the region have expressed growing concern about North Korea's missile tests and nuclear arms programs. Despite warnings by the international community, Pyongyang fired a rocket in April, saying it was meant to launch an experimental satellite. But it was generally believed the launch was a missile test.

This deal came when China and Japan is on dispute for an uninhabited, resource-rich island chain known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan. The joint missile defense system encourages Japan to keep an forceful position in the Diaoyu Islands dispute, which is sending China a very negative message.