By The Japanese have now made it official that if a missile is fired over Japan, satellite or no satellite, they will shoot it down:
The Japanese government could deploy two arsenal ships equipped with the latest Aegis radar system and interceptor Standard Missile in the East Sea if North Korea continues to prepare for a missile test, the Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday citing a senior official at the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
But Kyodo added if a North Korean missile targets the United States, it will be difficult for Japan’s SM-3 to intercept it.
Tokyo warned North Korea it would intercept not only missiles but also a satellite launched by the communist country. The Sankei Shimbun quoted Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada as saying, “It is natural to react to even a satellite if it can cause serious damage when it falls down to Japan.” [Chosun Ilbo]
The US has its own AEGIS SM-3 capabilities along with the still developmental GMD program as well to shoot down a North Korean missile.
According to the article, mark your calendar for mid-March for the fireworks show over the Sea that Cannot Be Named.
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
5:43 am on March 4th, 2009 1
It will be interesting to see how South Korea responds to this announcement.
6:01 am on March 4th, 2009 2
I have no objection against japanese plan.
Honestly I'm more interested to know if their missile will be able to hit north korean missile. It will be a good chance to check if their missile system really works.
11:33 am on March 4th, 2009 3
Hmm don't mess with the Japanese… they'll deploy some sort of super secret Robot mecha force on your a$$…. then you'd be like WHAT o.O
11:42 am on March 4th, 2009 4
This is interesting!
This won't interfere with their pacifist stance, does it? It would be an act of Self-Defense, correct?
Interesting to see how the Koreas(both North and South) would react to this statement and even when this actually takes place.
12:23 pm on March 4th, 2009 5
This would not violate their constitution because it would be intercepted in an act of self defense.
7:37 pm on March 9th, 2009 6
South Korea doesnt have to react. The U.S. and Japan have taken care of that already. They dont have to get their hands dirty. I am not saying they wouldnt, but people are already stepping up to the plate. China's stance will be interesting.
3:18 am on March 27th, 2009 7
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