TOKYO, June 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Japan's defense agency and US missile defense agency agreed Wednesday to accelerate talks about ongoing joint research on missile defense so as to move the project into the development phase in Japan's fiscal 2006.

    "If the system's capability is raised, we can expand the scope of defense and be able to respond to the advancement of ballistic missiles," Japanese Defense Agency Director General Yoshinori Ono was quoted by Kyodo News as saying to US Missile Defense Agency Director Lt. Gen. Henry Obering to stress the importance of joint development of the sea-based missile shield.

    Meanwhile, Obering praised Japan's technological contribution to the joint research on the Standard Missile 3 interceptor to be deployed on an Aegis vessel, Kyodo said.

    The project involves four key components of the enhanced SM-3 system -- the nose-cone, infrared sensor, stage-two rocket engine and kinetic warhead.

    On Wednesday morning, Japan and the United States held the first senior steering committee meeting at the Defense Agency and discussed working-level arrangements such as how to upgrade the system's capability and share information.

    Japan's involvement in the joint research and its decision to acquire a missile defense system are sensitive issues given Japan's pacifist Constitution, which forswears war and the possession of any war potential for mounting attacks. Enditem