PYONGYANG, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Japan is accelerating efforts to become a "warfighting state" and has shed its pacifist veil, according to an article carried by an official news outlet of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Tuesday.
The article, written by a military commentator and published by the Korean Central News Agency, noted Japan's bold moves this year to acquire the capability to launch preemptive attacks on neighboring countries.
Between May and September, Japan launched Type 88 surface-to-ship guided missiles in the Philippines and test-fired Tomahawk cruise missiles in the United States, while the mid-range Typhon missile launching systems were a part of a joint military drill with the United States and Australia, the article said.
It also noted that Japan's Type 25 missiles were involved in the joint Keen Sword 27 military drill with the United States, which ran from Oct. 19 through Oct. 29.
Japan's ambitions to become a military giant have entered a dangerous phase, the article said, adding that Japan's military posture has shifted from "defense" to "attack," creating a realistic threat to regional peace and stability. ■