Japan Preparing To Shoot Down North Korean Spy Satellite Rocket

Japan has said it is prepared to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite rocket if it needs to.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada instructed the Japanese military on Saturday to prepare the “necessary preparations” and to be ready to potentially “order the destruction of ballistic missiles.”

North Korea announced on Wednesday that it is making its final preparations to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite. 

The news has put Japan on high alert, and it is taking action to deploy ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor missiles and Aegis-equipped destroyer warships carrying sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptor projectiles.

North Korea’s announcement has been met with concern from Japan and other neighboring countries, which view it as a cover for the testing of intercontinental ballistic missile technology.

Japan fears that any debris from the rocket could fall onto Japanese territory, and the Japanese Self Defense Forces have been put on alert.