North Korea Voices Concern Over Japan’s Expanding Military Weapons Network

North Korea’s state-run Korean Central News Agency has described Japan’s plan to build about 130 new ammunition depots as a sign that the country is preparing to continue a prolonged conflict, according to a report published by the agency.

According to the report, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have nearly 1,400 ammunition depots and are due to build about 130 more by 2032. The locations of 65 of the depots have already been identified, and three facilities have been put into operation by August.

The agency placed the expansion of ammunition depots alongside Japan’s rising military spending, the development of long-range weapons, unmanned systems and the use of artificial intelligence technology. These measures were described in the report as part of Tokyo’s efforts to strengthen its military capability.

Japan has justified the construction of the new depots by citing the need for its Self-Defense Forces to continue combat operations in the event of a prolonged conflict.