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The Japanese government on Friday lifted an order for the Self-Defense Forces to shoot down any North Korean missile headed toward its territory.
The order was issued on April 7 after North Korea showed signs of launching a missile, but nothing happened. The order, which expires on July 7, was never officially made public.
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera ordered missile defense batteries to be removed from the grounds of the Defense Ministry in Tokyo and other locations, Fuji TV quoted a defense ministry spokesperson as saying late Friday.
During the heightened alert, Aegis destroyers equipped with sea-based interceptor missiles were deployed in the Sea of Japan.
© Japan Today
6 Comments
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Elbuda Mexicano
So?? If we get rid of this order and the DPRK suddenly does shoot a missile over Tokyo, will Japan get caught with its pants down sitting on the toilet while North Korean missiles fly over Roppongi??
doctorshankar
a very strange and foolish order. north Korea will be laughing at this.
JeanValJean
Belay that last order. The North Krackpots moved in new launchers.
Fox Cloud Lelean
On the one hand, it is unlikely that North Korea would target Japan. Their problem is mainly with America. But at the same time, you can never be too careful, especially when dealing with a country as unstable as the DPRK. Better to keep your guard up and have no attacks, than to remove defences and be hit by missiles. Surely the cost of maintaining peace of mind is far less than the cost of losing Tokyo to a nuclear warhead?
Pablo Cree
I'd like to see that.
hkitagawa
Hi, better to turn enemies in allies. Is the no way to bring the North Koreans to the Japanese side?