Aegis destroyers carrying Standard Missile-3 interceptors will be deployed to the Sea of Japan to prepare for a possible North Korean missile launch, defense sources said Tuesday.
North Korea claims it is preparing to launch a satellite into orbit, but Japan's missile defense guideline allows the defense minister to order an intercept when a rocket to launch a satellite appears likely to fall onto Japanese soil or territorial waters.
"We would have no other choice but to intercept," said a senior Maritime Self-Defense Force officer, referring to a case in which a missile or rocket is launched and appears headed for Japan.