The test prompted funding for Japanese spy satellites, greater cooperation between Japan and the United States on missile defense and a smoother ride in Parliament for tighter military ties with Washington. In the United States, the firing strengthened the hand of critics, who argued the Clinton administration was being too soft on the North Korean government and called into question the 1994 pact under which North Korea is compensated for giving up its nuclear weapons program. In the months since the test, however, policy-makers seem to have arrived at the conclusion that it is better to engage North Korea than to isolate it. Tokyo has rolled back most of the punishments it imposed immediately after the test, although normalization talks with North Korea remain suspended. A ruling party lawmaker headed to Pyongyang Friday to discuss improving relations.
Sanctions have failed, so Tokyo needs a new strategy.
In the United States, analysts say the Perry report will probably endorse offering the North aid and greater contact with the outside world in exchange for dismantling weapons programs. Many, however, also expect tougher penalties for noncompliance. The glaring lesson from the test is that North Korea's missile capabilities are much more advanced than intelligence circles had previously supposed. The Taepodong 1 is capable of hitting all of Japan and much of China. This year, Japan's Defense Agency reportedly concluded that North Korea is working on a missile able to reach Hawaii and Alaska.