- The Washington Times - Friday, March 27, 2009

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s defense minister has ordered a deployment of missile interceptors to protect against debris that could fall on its territory in the event of a North Korean rocket launch.

Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada issued the order Friday for land-to-air and sea-to-air missiles to be deployed in northern Japan.

North Korea has said it will launch a communications satellite April 4-8, and has designated waters off Akita and Iwate prefectures (states) in northern Japan as a risk zone for falling fragments.



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