The Japanese government is weighing a plan to equip fighter jets with long-range cruise missiles amid the North Korean nuclear and missile threat, starting with earmarking research costs in its fiscal 2018 budget plan, government sources said Tuesday.

But the move may stir controversy in Japan that upholds an exclusively defense-oriented policy under the war-renouncing Constitution, as the missiles would be capable of striking enemy bases.

The sources said the government is especially interested in Lockheed Martin Corp's JASSM-ER long-range, air-to-ground missile that has a range of over 900 kilometers.

"The thinking about introducing missiles nowadays is that the longer the range the better. Our main target will be ships at sea," a Japanese Defense Ministry source said.

The government maintains the position that possessing the ability to strike enemy bases is possible under the postwar Constitution if it can be considered a self-defense measure.

But Japan has so far opted not to equip its defense forces with cruise missiles and other armaments capable of attacking the territory of another country, leaving the role to its key ally, the United States.

Source: ANNnewsCH