It’s good practice, but I doubt NK is insane enough to start something serious.
The current conservative LDP administration, which has not been too popular, is seeing its approval ratings start to rise in the last few days, probably because the DPJ's inner problems, but also, the Japanese People (except for a few assorted Communists and Socialists on the fringes) starting to pull together mentally.
Maybe not, but better safe than sorry. If nothing else, the Patriot batteries could be useful if the missile malfunctions, or some of the junk (spent stages?) gets a little too close to Japan.
I don’t think Comrade Ronery is going to launch a missile strike on Japan, but on the other hand, that’s not exactly a Mercedes out on the pad. More like a mid-80s Hyundai, before they actually started making good cars. Keeping the JSDF on alert just in case the stupid thing messes up (a high probability) is the prudent thing to do IMO.
}:-)4
N.K.’s Dear Leader is dieing, and he wants to go out with a bang...a very big bang. Bringing on a world war would insure him a great and grand place in history.