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Japan deploys Patriot missiles to combat North Korean rocket threat

Published time: December 06, 2012 02:49
Edited time: December 07, 2012 06:32
Members of the Japan Self-Defence Forces deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo December 5, 2012.(Reuters / Toru Hanai)

The Japanese Navy has delivered surface-to-air missile systems in order to battle a perceived threat arising from the planned North Korean rocket launch, Kyodo news announced.

­Two Patriot Advanced Capability-3 batteries have arrived to the island of Ishigaki, some 400 kilometers southwest of Okinawa, on board the JDS Kunisaki. Patriots will also be deployed on Okinawa.

Japan's armed forces have been placed on standby ahead of the planned North Korean missile launch. Japan’s Ministry of Defense has issued an order to destroy the North Korean missile, if after the launch it appears to threaten the country's security, local media report.

On Saturday, the country's defense ministry put troops on alert. "Our ground, marine, and air forces are now preparing to deploy troops in Okinawa," a ministry spokesman told AFP.

Aegis warships are also being deployed in Japanese waters, a number of local news outlets reported this week.

Tokyo maintains that its defense is being readied not to shoot down the Korean rocket, but to avoid any debris that might threaten Japanese territory if the rocket deviates from its planned trajectory.

North Korea has reportedly notified its regional neighbors, including Japan, of the trajectory of the planned launch.

The military buildup around Japan follows Pyongyang's announcement of plans to launch its second long-range rocket this year, between December 10 and 22, after a failed attempt in April.  

The April launch failed when the rocket, carrying a Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite, crashed into the Yellow Sea moments after takeoff.

North Korea claims that it plans to place satellites into orbit for peaceful purposes, while the international community suspects foul play and a coverup for the country's intercontinental ballistic missiles.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon strongly urged North Korea Tuesday to reconsider its decision to launch a rocket, which would be "a clear violation" of UN sanctions.

Comments (11)

Seriously? (unregistered) 06.12.2012 15:47

sod wrote :................... .................... .................... .................... .......... Unstable govt, do you mean the US. You know the country that has attacked, invaded and killed more in the name of peace, money and resources for the elite. Wake up, you must be a yank or just blind. Last 20 years how many countries did NK invade, now tell me how many have the US. Yes thats rights, more that the rest of world altogether. But they mean well aye - dreamer. US biggest arms exporter in the world, is this the cost of democracy - death to all those who are different and don't eat McDonalds, drive cars powered by Shell etc................. .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... .................... ..................  Love it;.......... I would add though, USA   terrorizes the whole world, imposing their will on everyone else..........acti ng in their  INTEREST, never saying what that interest is !!!........To control the whole world ???....and don't blame Japanese....they STILL have US bases on their soil, and US soldiers raping their women........ Seriously...

+9

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Nik (unregistered) 06.12.2012 13:27

Japan is full of it. Tokyo maintains that its defense is being readied not to shoot down the Korean rocket, but to avoid any debris that might threaten Japanese territory, yet their defense ministry says marine, and air forces are now preparing to deploy troops in Okinawa. How the hell are troops going to stop debris from a rocket falling out of the sky?!!!

+10

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JJ (unregistered) 06.12.2012 13:18

North Korea isn't going to give up till they get those rockets working, and
they are not going to take orders from the UN or USA.
   But really who is the country that goes around the world invading, stealing,
and killing, while calling everyone else the Terrorists? Yeap USA, George Bush
had to call North Korea part of the AXIS OF EVIL. got him a few votes,
most Americans have forgotten that, North Korea never will.
  Stupid USA

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