Toyko (CNN) Japan says it is ready to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite missile if needed.
Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada told the Japanese military on Saturday to make “necessary preparations” because it might “order the destruction of ballistic missiles.”
The news comes after North Korea announced on Wednesday that Pyongyang is making final preparations to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, Hamada did not rule out shooting down the missile used to launch the satellite.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces were put on alert in anticipation of any debris from the missile falling on Japanese territory.
The statement added that the Japanese army will deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles with a capacity of 3 and destructive warships equipped with Aegis equipment and carrying “Standard Missile-3” interceptors.
North Korean Central News Agency, the state media, reported on Wednesday that its leader, Kim Jong Un, ordered the officials to do so Get ready to go The country’s first military reconnaissance satellite.
Kim made the remarks alongside his daughter, believed to be named Ju Ae, who has increasingly accompanied her father on public outings, during a visit to the National Aerospace Development Administration earlier this week.
North Korea claimed as early as last December that it conducted an “important final stage test” for the development of a spy satellite.
It previously said that the satellite could be ready by April this year.
“Infuriatingly humble analyst. Bacon maven. Proud food specialist. Certified reader. Avid writer. Zombie advocate. Incurable problem solver.”