Japan, US sign agreement to develop hypersonic missile interceptor

Japan and the United States have signed a contract to jointly develop interceptors capable of shooting down hypersonic missiles by the 2030s. The agreement, part of a plan reportedly costing over $3 billion, aims to address the increasing threat posed by hypersonic weapons in the region. Japan has allocated 75 billion yen ($480 million) in its 2024 budget for this development, as part of its efforts to strengthen its missile interception capabilities amid rising tensions with China and North Korea.