Japan acquires former steel plant site for new defence complex

Japan's Defence Ministry said Friday it had acquired the site of a former Nippon Steel plant in Hiroshima Prefecture as Tokyo moves to expand its military infrastructure and strengthen the country's defence-industrial base.

The ministry said it had signed a contract with Nippon Steel to purchase the former Setouchi Works Kure District site in Kure, a city that already hosts a major Maritime Self-Defense Force base.

The government plans to develop a “multifunctional defence complex” on the approximately 130-hectare (321-acre) site.

The planned facility will include offices for the Self-Defense Forces, a heliport and infrastructure for disaster response. Private companies involved in the production of defence equipment are also expected to establish operations at the site.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi described Kure, which is home to a key Maritime Self-Defense Force installation, as an “extremely important” area for Japan's national security.

The project comes as Japan accelerates efforts to expand its defence capabilities, including measures to strengthen its domestic defence-industrial base and acquire longer-range strike capabilities.

The Defence Ministry said the planned Kure complex would contribute to the “fundamental strengthening” of Japan's defence capabilities.

The ministry said it would soon begin soliciting private companies interested in operating at the site as part of the development of the new defence complex.

By Tamilla Hasanova