Japanese ships move to intercept North Korea missile

Chokai (R) and Kongo (L) leave from a port of JMSDF Sasebo Base in Sasebo, southwestern Japan, March 28, 2009. REUTERS

Japan is making preparations to intercept potentially dangerous debris from a planned rocket launch in North Korea.  North Korea has reported that it is launching a communications satellite between April 4th and April 8th.  Regional powers and the U.S. are suspect of this claim, and believe the rocket launch may be a missile test. The likely path of the rocket would pass over Japan, creating a potentially dangerous situation if the rocket were to fail or explode.

Two Aegis equipped ballistic missile defense ships, the CHOKAI and the KONGO, departed from Sasebo Naval Base in Southwestern Japan and are proceeding to the Sea of Japan.  A third ship, the Aegis equipped KIRISHIMA has been dispatched to the possible splash down area in the Pacific Ocean. 

Sky News also reports that the U.S. is sending two ships with missile defense capabilities from the South Korean port of Busan. 

Read more – The Mainichi Daily News