Japan sets up anti-air missiles in Tokyo to boost defense against N. Korea

Japan says it has deployed two Patriot missile interceptors in Tokyo to counter North Korea’s activity. The deployment comes amid reports that Pyongyang is preparing for a space rocket launch.

Two ground-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) launchers were installed near the Defense Ministry’s headquarters on Saturday morning, according to the Japan News website. The Ministry said they had been set up as a safeguard in case it became necessary to shoot down a North Korean missile or any debris that might fall from one onto Japanese territory.

#Japan again deploys PAC-3 interceptors in case #DPRK launches ballistic missile. https://t.co/jc5nXIcJ9n #VOAalert pic.twitter.com/O2R2OQG6MQ

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) 29 января 2016

The ground-to-air units are to be placed mainly in the Okinawa Prefecture and Tokyo metropolitan area, as there are fears that these are the two locations North Korean missiles might hit.

PAC3 missiles have been deployed again at the SDF HQ in Ichigaya. pic.twitter.com/MyCSVJl3Do

— Mulboyne (@Mulboyne) 30 января 2016