TOKYO, Apr 23 Japan Self-Defense Forces begin preparations for deployment Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems in Okinawa after the order of Minister Yasukazu Hamada to prepare measures to intercept a ballistic missile in connection with the upcoming launch of a DPRK reconnaissance satellite, Kyodo reports. chartered from a private company from the port of Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture. Also, according to the agency, several «large vehicles» were loaded onto the ship within about 50 minutes, but no other details were given.
Earlier, the DPRK Central Telegraph Agency reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced the creation of a military reconnaissance satellite in the country. In addition, he ordered to ensure the launch of the device on time.
Japan's Ministry of Defense stressed that due to the risk of falling fragments of a ballistic missile from North Korea, it is planned to deploy Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems and American Standard SM-3 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the southern Okinawa Prefecture. The Naval Self-Defense Forces have also been ordered to deploy destroyers equipped with the Aegis anti-missile system.
During previous DPRK satellite launches in 2012 and 2016, the self-defense forces also deployed Patriot to Okinawa, as well as to the islands of Miyako and Ishigaki, but did not intercept the rocket.