The Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis-equipped destroyer Kirishima cut short its itinerary to return home from U.S.-led international naval exercises off Hawaii, so it can be nearby if Pyongyang test-launches an ICBM, sources said Wednesday.
The sources attributed the abrupt return to the need for the advanced destroyer to keep watch on North Korea, which appears to be preparing to launch a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile.
The 7,250-ton Kirishima's deployment is aimed at sending a message to Pyongyang, as Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush were to hold talks Thursday at the White House and urge North Korea to stop the launch.
The destroyer headed home Wednesday from Pearl Harbor, where it was to take part in the monthlong RIMPAC-2006 drills that started Monday and run through July 28.