Japan Warns It May Shoot Down North Korean Satellite Launcher

Image from Military Pictures

From The Guardian:

• Pyongyang says response would be act of war
• Regional tensions rise over missile launch

Japan today threatened to shoot down a satellite that North Korea plans to launch early next month if it shows any signs of striking its territory.

Tokyo's warning that it would deploy its multibillion-dollar missile defence system raised tensions in the region after North Korea said that it had identified a potential "danger area" near Japanese territory along the rocket's flight path.

The regime told the International Maritime Organisation that the missile would be launched during daylight between 4 and 8 April, and that its boosters would fall into the Sea of Japan – about 75 miles (120km) from Japan's north-west coast – and the Pacific Ocean.

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More News On Japan's Threat To Shoot Down North Korea's Missile Test

Japan threat to shoot down N. Korean satellite -- CNN
Japan, South Korea Warn North's Launch Will Have Consequences -- Voice Of America
Japan Warns North Korea Over Rocket Launch -- New York Times
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan -- AP
North Korea Provokes Response With Plans To Launch Satellite In April -- AHN
N. Korea's 'Satellite launch' angers neighbors -- Press TV
FACTBOX: International sanctions against North Korea -- Reuters
FACTBOX-North Korea's Taepodong-2 long-range missile -- Reuters

North Korea Hints It Abducted More Japanese Nationals

From The Telegraph:

North Korea has hinted that it kidnapped more than the 13 Japanese nationals it has so far admitted to, raising hopes among the families of the missing that they may be released.

Pyongyang contradicted its previous stance on the abductions in a meeting with Japanese negotiatiors in June, indicating it would be able to provide new information if progress could be made in talks to normalise relations between the two countries.

The key condition for the North Korean side would be the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by Tokyo.

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