The Japanese defense minister gave the orders on Saturday to activate missile interceptors and get ready to shoot down satellite debris that may land on Japanese territory.
North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, declared earlier this week that the nation will soon launch its first military reconnaissance satellite.
North Korea has launched almost 100 missiles since the beginning of last year, claiming to be in reaction to joint military drills between the US and South Korea, which it describes as an invasion practice.
A handful of the missiles flew over Japan's airspace or landed off the coast of northern Japan. Last Monday, North Korea conducted the first launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile using solid fuel.
The area is believed to be in the path of a North Korean rocket that would launch the satellite, therefore Yasukazu Hamada, Japan's defense minister, sent instructions to soldiers on Saturday to deploy PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles in southwest Japan, including Okinawa and adjacent islands.
He also directed the dispatch of warships armed with SM-3 ship-to-air missiles to coastal waters, according to a ministry statement.
"We are making the necessary preparation since there is a possibility that an order to destroy ballistic missiles and other things may be issued," the ministry declared. Any missile launch requires the approval of the prime minister.
North Korea is predicted to undertake more nuclear tests while the United States and South Korea continue their joint air drill into the next week.
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
