Kyoto Gov. Keiji Yamada on Thursday officially endorsed the installation of an advanced U.S. military radar site in his prefecture, paving the way for the first American military facility to be installed in the Kinki region.

The X-band radar to be set up on the Air Self-Defense Force's Kyogamisaki sub-base in the city of Kyotango, on the Sea of Japan coast, is seen as necessary to defend against North Korea's missile threat.

Yamada told the prefectural assembly the same day he is ready to help the central government, citing its promise to ensure safety and counter electromagnetic interference and noise. But he also warned he would cancel his offer if Tokyo failed to honor the pledge.

The prefectural government said up to 160 U.S. service members and technicians will be assigned to the radar facility.

X-band radar is capable of precisely tracking the trajectory of ballistic missiles and allows U.S. forces to launch ground- and sea-based interceptor missiles once a threat is detected.