Japan's military has said it will destroy any North Korean missile that violates its territory and is making preparations to do so, following Kim Jong-un's regime telling Tokyo that it plans to launch a satellite between 31 May and 11 June.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, said that any launch by North Korea, even if a satellite launch, would have a negative impact on the safety of Japanese citizens. The government acknowledges that there is a possibility that the satellite could pass through our country's territory. North Korea has completed its first military spy satellite, and President Kim has approved final preparations for launching it to orbit. Analysts say a military satellite would enhance North Korea's surveillance capabilities and improve its ability to strike targets in the event of a war.
Japan's defense ministry said in a statement: We will take destructive measures against ballistic and other missiles that are confirmed to land in our territory. The ministry said it would use its standard missile SM-3 SM-3 or Patriot missile PAC-3 to destroy any such North Korean missile.
Fumio Kishida, the Japanese prime minister, said any North Korean missile launch would be a serious violation of a UN Security Council resolution. We strongly urge North Korea to refrain from launching, Kishida said on Twitter, adding it would collaborate with relevant countries such as the US and South Korea. The use of satellite launching technology is similar to that of ballistic missiles.
Japan has said it will do all it can to collect and analyze information from the launch.
The North Korean media has frequently clashed with South Korea, the US, and Japan on the issue of sharing real-time data on its missile launches, describing the three as advocating sinister measures for tightening military cooperation.