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Japan ready to destroy DPRK rocket debris

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-27 14:56

TOKYO -- Japan on Friday ordered its Self- Defense Forces to destroy debris from Pyongyang's rocket in the event that its launch fails and fragments fall into Japanese territory, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada announced.

Japan's Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada speaks to reporters after National Security Council meeting in Tokyo Friday morning, March 27, 2009. Japan on Friday ordered its Self- Defense Forces to destroy debris from Pyongyang's rocket in the event that its launch fails and fragments fall into Japanese territory. [Xinhua]

"I issued a necessary order to Self-Defense Force units to prepare for an event in which a North Korea (DPRK)'s projectile falls onto our country in an accident," Hamada told reporters.

"We will do everything to deal with any flying object to assure the Japanese people's safety and security," he said after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso.

The unprecedented decision was made at a meeting of the Security Council of Japan, the nation's top security panel.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has said it will launch a communications satellite in April.

Japan, the United States and South Korea suspect Pyongyang's planned launch may be a test-firing of a ballistic missile.

Japan is concerned that if the launch fails, rocket debris, such as boosters, may fall somewhere in northeastern Japan, over which the rocket is expected to fly.

Local media have reported Japan is to deploy two Aegis-equipped destroyers in the Sea of Japan and Patriot interceptors in northern prefectures of Akita and Iwate.    

Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said the country is not sure if the interception could be successful as it has no experience. However, Hamada said Japan is totally prepared and he "had no doubt we can do it."