Japan issues order to intercept DPRK missile

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has issued an order to the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to intercept any missile launched by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), according to local media Saturday.

An Aegis-equipped SDF destroyer Kirishima has been deployed to the Sea of Japan carrying long-range SM-3 interceptor missiles in line with the order, which was issued Thursday without disclosing, reported Japan's Kyodo News, citing an unnamed government source.

The order was issued based on the assumption that the DPRK, which launched Rodong medium-range ballistic missiles on March 26 toward the Sea of Japan, might fire more missiles, said Kyodo

The order, which was likely stay in effect until April 25, the anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Army, was kept secret to avoid revealing Japan's missile detection capabilities, said the report.