Japan Defense Minister Officially Authorizes SDF Forces Shoot Down N. Korean Missile (Breaking)

Yahoo Japan Headline News (original in Japanese) from Japanese news sources ^ | 7 April 2013 | Yahoo! News Japan (original in Japanese)

[AmericanInTokyo]

A tough one to hit, but Japan will at least will be on battle readiness status against North Korea, which is good and North Korea (especially Fat Boy Lil Kim, mini-Chia Pet) had best know this fact clearly.

[OwenKellogg]

Good.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Ping!

[AmericanInTokyo]

(Japan) Defense Minister Onodera announcing a few hours ago on TV that they are taking the position of shooting down a missile or missile(s) launched--this time without any warning expected--from North Korea's east coast on the Sea of Japan (East Sea) in any direction toward Japan. He has officially activate the "launch to shoot down" order ("geigeki hakai meirei") Of course US assets in the region are now heavily involved in this as well, AEGIS is being stationed, and other aspects are escalating.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I heard that news a few hours ago. I suspect Abe would want to go for it. On the other hand, could they be able to shoot it down? Do they have enough MD system in place? If not, would U.S. help out if Japan asks?

Apparently, Russians are worry about this prospect.

[Flint]

I think we will be in a position to shoot it down if necessary and give Japan credit for it. No matter who’s missile hits.

[Patriot95]

I can’t help but think that all this chest-thumping by N. Korea is covering something bigger. I don’t trust China.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I wish them good hunting.

[Logical me]

At least one Country is willing to shoot it down. Our Country should have set up and told Fat Boy if you fire one we will shoot it down and let Fat Boy think that one over.

[TigerLikesRooster]

I can see that is a feasible course of action, if they choose to go after NK missiles.

[AmericanInTokyo]

They issued such commands in advance of the Taepodong (Unha 2) launch and other provocations in the last year and a year or two ago (the “shoot down authorization”). They are just excelerating their announcement of it, and their preparations, it seems, and taking no chances. It is extremely academic if they can hit one, but they very well may be able to get a modified scud or Nodong on Musudan and bring it down either over the Sea between DPRK and Korea, or somewhere over Japanese land, hopefully not near a populated area. To do so I would say they would be very lucky. However, perhaps the threat alone and the issuing of it tonight on national TV if anything ups the ante and is good, I would like to see the Fat One think twice about aiming it at Japan with the prospect it could end up as good scrap metal in mid air. But it would take some mighty savvy shooting by the Japanese (or has been pointed out, US could get from an AEGIS ship perhaps and then give Japan the credit), or nobody would talk about it and of course DPRK’s telemetry would tell them our side got one of theirs in mid air and they will from now on be challenged and not allowed to send these over Japanese territory like they have done one 2 occasions now with inpunity.

[UKrepublican]

Wouldn’t it be convenient for China, in the midst of a territorial dispute with Japan, if the NORKS provoked them into a war........

[1010RD]

This is the end. Nobody’s backing down. The kid is weak, has a weak hand and I’d imagine China is negotiating furiously for an alternative that allows it to save face.

[umgud]

[TigerLikesRooster]

In SK they talk about NK hitting some SK targets. However, shooting down NK missiles with MD interceptors can be another dramatic development. More so than NK shelling SK islands.

[Tai_Chung]

Missile Defense is the last line of defense. I think the Korean missiles should be taken out. We aren’t talking about some Iraqi scud missile. They have threatened to use nukes. Don’t give them the chance.

It would not be an unprovoked attack since North Korea has already announced to the world they will attack the US, Japan, and South Korea. Other actions they have taken suggest an attack is possible within days.

[skinkinthegrass]

we hear you; hopefully Japan's government has far more steel in their backbone than ours (very very soft noodle/transparent).

[chris37]

God Bless Japan.

*** damn North Korea.

[mac_truck]

Good news bump..maybe this action by Japan will stiffen the spines of Pres. Obama and his team.

[American Constitutionalist]

" Missile Defense is the last line of defense. I think the Korean missiles should be taken out. We aren’t talking about some Iraqi scud missile. They have threatened to use nukes. Don’t give them the chance. "

A quote from the new and up coming movie Despicable me 2 " don't annouce your weapons before you use them ".

Stupid move by the Dork from Nork.

Then again ? that's all he has in his quiver, for he knows that with any conventional war with South Korea and the USA he is toast.

I guess with all the Saber Rattling he has to compensate for areas where he is lacking.

Go ahead punk the Dork from Nork, God has a few nice sized metorites just aimed at North Korea and Pyongyang.