Japan and missiles

Though the Japanese are decimating the United States auto industry and some are upset over their trade practices, Japan is still a staunch ally of the United States as whole. So it comes as no surprise, considering this and Japan's proximity to North Korea, that we are helping them with missile defense. The project seems a good idea to me, for both the United States and Japan. Neutralizing the threat of North Korea is a good thing; they've had carrots offered for years with little positive response. This a "big stick" that we (and Japan) can carry that is merely defensive, and it will help encourage positive movement by North Korea (and possibly other such countries).