Japan to prepare to potentially shoot down North Korean spy satellite
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Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada has ordered the Self-Defence Forces to make the necessary preparations against a North Korean spy satellite should it fall within Japan’s territory.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO – Japanese Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Saturday ordered the country’s military to prepare to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite should it fall within Japan’s territory.
Mr Hamada ordered the Self-Defence Forces to make the necessary preparations as he could potentially “order the destruction of ballistic missiles”, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The preparations include making arrangements to deploy troops to the southern prefecture of Okinawa to “minimise damage should a ballistic missile fall”.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had said preparations for the planned launch of the country’s first spy satellite should proceed to counter perceived threats from the United States and South Korea, state media reported on Wednesday.
Placing the satellite into orbit would require a long-range projectile, which North Korea is banned from launching.
This is because the United Nations views such exercises as tests of ballistic missile technology.
Pyongyang has not provided a launch date, with Mr Kim only saying the satellite will be sent up “at the planned date”.
In 2012 and 2016, North Korea tested ballistic missiles that Pyongyang called satellite launches. Both missiles flew over the Okinawa region. AFP, REUTERS
