The Self-Defense Forces on Thursday completed the deployment of its ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors in Okinawa Prefecture to prepare for North Korea's rocket launch next week.
The interceptor missiles have been deployed in four locations in Okinawa: Naha and Nanjo, as well as Miyako and Ishigaki islands.
Japan is bracing for the rocket launch after North Korea announced last month that it will launch an "Earth observation satellite" to mark the centennial of state founder Kim Il Sung's birthday on April 15.