[aviator]

This means that the NK planned flight path will go over Japan.

[WellyP]

What direction is the easiest direction to achieve an orbit? Any other direction is a provocation.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Yes. Their plan is to fly right smack over Japanese territory, over Akita and Iwate Prefectures in Northern Japan, some of it over populated cities. That is where the PAC-3 Patriot missile batteries (among other places) have been set up by the Japanese military over the last 3-4 days. North Korea had the same planned route in 2006 and also in the past they shot a Taepodong-1 right over Japan as well. Their intent is not to orbit a satellite, but to develop an ICBM for long range capability, and then be able to load it with a nuclear weapon, with which they can threaten Hawaii or the US West Coast. This is not for peaceful purposes. Kim Jong il's exact quote (when pushing his national infrastructure to achieve this goal) is: "With THIS, the US bastards will leave us alone."