TOKYO, Dec 3: Pacifist Japan will study developing a long-range surface-to-surface missile amid growing concern about North Korean and Chinese vessels in surrounding waters, a report said on Friday.

The potential new missiles could effectively end Japan's self-imposed ban on offensive weapons, two months after an expert panel recommended the country acquire the ability to attack foreign bases. Japan has a pacifist constitution.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, which quoted anonymous defence officials in its report, said Japan's concern was North Korean spy and Chinese naval vessels which have been moving more frequently in seas near Japan.

The newspaper said the Defence Agency plans to study the new missile "as a measure to counter a possible invasion on a remote island several hundred kilometres away from mainland Japan."

China last month expressed regret after one of its nuclear submarines entered Japanese waters for two hours near disputed islands, triggering a two-day chase on the high seas between the Asian powers.

Japan's current ground-based missiles are only capable of hitting air or sea borne targets as opposed to targets in other countries. Under the 1947 constitution, Japan can use the weapons only if the country comes under direct attack.

A Defence Agency spokeswoman declined to comment on the report. In October, an advisory panel to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi called for Japan to change its long-standing position against the use of force and develop the ability to launch pre-emptive strikes on foreign missile vessels.

The Yomiuri said the plan to build the long-range ground-to-ground missiles will be included in a defence plan, set to be approved by the cabinet in mid-December, which will set priorities for the five years from April 2005. -AFP