As North Korea's possible upcoming military reconnaissance satellite launch poses a risk of falling into Japan's territory, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada ordered the Self-Defense Forces to prepare missile intercept operations on Saturday, and the SDF began establishing the necessary readiness to intercept a missile.
The interception measures are based on Article 82-3 of the Self-Defense Forces Law.
Air Self-Defense Force surface-to-air guided missile PAC-3 units will be deployed in Okinawa Prefecture. Deployment locations are expected to include the Sakishima Islands -- Miyako Island, Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Island -- where Ground Self-Defense Force bases are located. In addition, Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyers equipped with SM-3 interceptor missiles will be on alert, and Ground Self-Defense Force units will be dispatched if necessary.
