Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's warships 7,250-ton DDG Kongou, left, and 7,250-ton DDG Choukai are moored at JMSDF Sasebo Base in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture (state), southwestern Japan, Friday, March 27, 2009. The pair of destroyers carrying SM-3 sea-to-air missiles would be deployed to the Sea of Japan as Japan's defense minister ordered the deployment of missile interceptors to the northern coast on Friday to shoot down any debris that could fall on Japanese territory if a North Korean rocket launch fails. (AP Photo/Kyodo News, Yuki Sato) (Yuki Sato - AP) Japan OKs Deployment Of Missile Defense System -- Yahoo News/AP
TOKYO – Japan's military mobilized Friday to protect the country from any threat if North Korea's looming rocket launch fails, ordering two missile-equipped destroyers to the Sea of Japan and sending batteries of Patriot missile interceptors to protect the northern coastline.
Pyongyang plans to launch its Kwangmyongsong-2 satellite April 4-8, a moved that has stoked already heightened tensions in the region. The U.S., Japan and South Korea suspect the North will use the launch to test the delivery technology for a long-range missile capable of striking Alaska.
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More News On Japan's Preparation For North Korea's Missile Test
Japan readies defenses for North Korea rocket launch -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Japan Orders Possible North Korean Rocket Interception -- Voice Of America
Japan: Destroy rocket if launch fails -- UPI
Japan Readies Missile Interceptors -- New York Times
Japan Readies Missile Defense System -- Washington Post
U.S., Japan mobilize for N. Korean launch -- CNN
Japan to Shoot Down Missile Debris -- Wall Street Journal
Japan Orders Interceptors for NK Rocket -- Associated Press
North Korea's Kim Aims to Reassert Authority -- Wall Street Journal
S. Korea Warns North Against Firing Rocket -- Voice of America
N. Korean Nuclear Test Is a Growing Possibility -- Washington Post
US Official Challenges North Korea's Satellite Claim -- Los Angeles Times