Japan Prepares for North Korean Missile

Japan's military is preparing for a missile launch by North Korea. If launched as planned, the rocket will fly over Japanese territory, with its booster stages dropping near the country. Japan ...
Japan's military is preparing for a missile launch by North Korea. If launched as planned, the rocket will fly over Japanese territory, with its booster stages dropping near the country. Japan ordered its military Friday to prepare to intercept any dangerous debris falling on its territory, ahead of a planned missile launch by North Korea. Pyongyang says it intends to launch a satellite as soon as April 4, which will fly over Japan and see booster stages drop off to its east and west. Regional powers believe the real purpose is to test a long-range ballistic missile, with the potential to reach North American territory. The Taepondong-2 missile is believed already positioned on a North Korea launch pad, and the U.S. and other nations have warned a test would be a provocative act. Japan is constitutionally prohibited from intercepting the missile if it is clearly heading elsewhere, but Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said all preparations are being taken. [Yasukazu Hamada, Japanese Defense Minister]:
"I have issued an order... to prepare to destroy any object that might fall on Japan as a result of an accident involving a flying object from North Korea." Japan is expected to move Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors to northern Japan, which lies under the rocket's likely trajectory, as well as deploy Aegis-equipped destroyers with missile interceptors. Top nuclear envoys from Tokyo, Seoul and Washington will meet in the U.S. capital later Friday, a sign of growing concern over the possible launch.

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