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WORLD> Asia-Pacific
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Japan readies itself for DPRK's rocket launch
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-04 11:08 TOKYO -- The Japanese government has readied itself ahead of Pyongyang's imminent launch of a communications satellite, with the Self-Defense Forces poised to shoot down the launch vehicle if it is seen falling toward Japanese territory.
Kyodo News said Prime Minister Taro Aso is expected to stay in his official residence and will immediately move to his office if the launch is confirmed. The office is expected to release information immediately on the launch.
The Crisis Management Center at the prime minister's office has also beefed up staff to gather information and has got ready to provide information on the launch to local governments and media organizations, according to Kyodo. The government has relocated Patriot ground-to-air guided missile launch units to Akita and Iwate prefectures in northeastern Japan and sent two destroyers equipped with Standard Missile-3 interceptors in the Sea of Japan and another destroyer to the Pacific Ocean to track the projectile. Japan's aviation authority issued a notice Friday to advise airlines to maintain vigilance with regard to possible antiballistic missiles when flying in some areas of Japanese airspace. |
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