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Tokyo (CNN) Japan has said it is prepared to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite rocket if necessary.
Defense Minister Hamada told the Japanese military on Saturday to make “necessary preparations” for the possibility of “ordering the destruction of ballistic missiles”.
The news follows Wednesday’s announcement that North Korea is making final preparations to launch its first military spy satellite.
In a statement issued by the defense ministry, Hamada did not rule out the possibility of shooting down the rocket used to launch the satellite.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are on guard to ensure that debris from the rocket does not fall on Japanese territory.
The Japanese military will deploy Aegis-equipped destroyers with land-based Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor missiles and sea-based Standard Missile 3 interceptor projectiles, the statement added.
North Korean state media KCNA reported Wednesday that Kim Jong Un has ordered authorities to prepare for the launch of the country’s first military spy satellite.
Kim made the remarks during a visit to the National Aerospace Development Agency earlier this week with her daughter, believed to be called Jue, who increasingly accompanies her father on public outings.
North Korea claimed in December that it had conducted “significant final-stage tests” to develop a spy satellite.
The company previously said the satellite could be ready by April of this year.
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