ABOARD THE DESTROYER KURAMA (Kyodo) Deputy Prime Minister Naoto Kan encouraged the Maritime Self-Defense Force on Sunday to brace for an increased threat from North Korea and to combat terrorism during an MSDF fleet review in Sagami Bay off Kanagawa Prefecture.
"As security conditions surrounding Japan have drastically changed recently, the Self-Defense Forces are required to respond to diverse situations involving the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles as well as terrorism," Kan said aboard the 5,200-ton destroyer Kurama.
Kan said Pyongyang's missile launch in April that flew over Japan and a nuclear test in May "can never be tolerated" and the reclusive nation remains "a serious threat to the peace and security of Japan, East Asia and the international community."