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Yokohama mistakenly tweets North Korean missile launch

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© 2013 AFP

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A perfect example of why I call Twitter users twits.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Indeed with tensions this high it could be an error that sets off a war.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Oops. Why even have the tweet ready? Takes all of 20 seconds to enter and send.....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Not only did they mistakenly send the message. But took 20 mins before it was brought to their attention, and it was by a follower? So many fails.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Looks like someone sent the wrong message for Lunch around noon. They sent Launch by mistake.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

This is the kind of silly error which can lead to something far worse, and was just the kind of thing Ban Ki Moon was on about when he advised caution.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Ideograph and pictograph!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

the Jgov always needs something to keep the populace in fear, & maintain control as it keeps it's "we are the VICTIM" story going, doesn't it?

Yay. Another conspiracy theorist. Like we don't already have enough of them.

The city, south of Tokyo, prematurely fired its Tweet just before noon,

Hopefully, they had enough tissues to clean up afterwards.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

with Patriot missiles stationed in its capital to protect the 30 million people who live there.

... bull and something that stinks. Those missiles aren't stationed in Tokyo to protect 30 million people, they're stationed there to protect the cowardly politicians and generals that live in Tokyo.

What makes more sense, stationing the patriot system in the West of the country (closer to Korea) where it could intercept the missiles BEFORE they get to Tokyo and also protect the West side of the country or.... drumroll stationing the interceptors in Tokyo where the missiles will only come into range of the interceptors when it is too late and can only protect one city.

I can't tell if they're idiots, cowards or both. My money is on both though.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Good one boys!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

One point to North Korea.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

No really, this is a dangerous kind of mistake.

Would be more dangerous if NK pressed the button by mistake!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Looks like the national security plan is as good as the nuclear disaster preparedness plan.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

What makes more sense, stationing the patriot system in the West of the country (closer to Korea) where it could intercept the missiles BEFORE they get to Tokyo and also protect the West side of the country or.... drumroll stationing the interceptors in Tokyo where the missiles will only come into range of the interceptors when it is too late and can only protect one city.

Patriot missiles only have the range to intercept a ballistic missile in the terminal phase of its trajectory, so you put them near predicted targets rather than somewhere up-range. You use OTHER resources to intercept the missiles during mid-trajectory - resources like SM-3 missiles launched from AEGIS platforms.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Don't worry my Tomodachi's.

Go on what the U.S. Navy or the JMSDF says, because inside CIC (Combat Information Center) aboard the Aegis Cruisers & Destroyers - there's no twitter.

When they launch, it's because they've locked on to an unidentified inbound target going Real Fast!

We'll be having a "Steel Beach Picnic" on the Flight Deck, before North Korea finds out their missile was shot down...

1 ( +2 / -1 )

How do you know it was accident? Unless you have some information the rest of us don't, I don't see how "accident" applies.

Because the guy who typed the message left the date and time blank (as in 'not filled') of the missile launch. In essence, he was basically typing the draft but sent it by mistake.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Ah, they're just a bit early, N Korea will probably launch a couple of missiles pretty soon.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A few months ago it was the Koerean soccer players saying Dokuo is ours, then the Chinese, then Sea Shepherd, now Nth Korea, the Jgov always needs something to keep the populace in fear, & maintain control as it keeps it's "we are the VICTIM" story going, doesn't it?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The city, south of Tokyo, prematurely fired its Tweet just before noon

Oh my.....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fools

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's pretty embarassing for the Yokohama govt.

It also seems a bit pre-emptive of the city to have a message already drafted if such a launch occurs. The main thing people of Japan (and not just Yokohama) need to know is if a missile is heading their way (although there may not be much time to react) - such information should be forthcoming from government at the national level.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

please someone get that oyaji away from his !"#$% smartphone before japan stupidly initiates a war and be the laughing stock!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

hopefully it is not part of wanting to be the first to share the missile launch info ahead of other news media..

0 ( +0 / -0 )

aha, keep nervous

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Why don't they identify by name of the official of Yokohama? After the investigation, who ever did this should be fired. If average citizens did a stupid prank like this, you might end up in jail.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

what the....!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Knox Harrington Apr. 11, 2013 - 05:35AM JST They probably put a newly hired person (it's April, after all) in charge of handling the account and kanji being what it is, you know... Perhaps entered it beforehand, not to make a spelling mistake.

City of Yokahama responded by saying: "It’s likely that an ACCOUNTS MANAGER was preparing the message just in case North Korea did launch a missile, but then pressed the ‘tweet’ button by mistake."

Why pre-write tweet like that, anyway? Are Managers in City of Yokohama with 3.600,000 people limited with writing skills? They should fire this guy.

Source: http://www.feedbook.org/article/148278/japanese-city-mistakenly-tweets-north-korea-missile-launch/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why pre-write tweet like that, anyway

Perhaps his superior told him to pre write the boiler plate message that was approved by his/her superior during the morning meeting. In that case, when he is away from his desk or is incapacitated, someone else, like a collegue of his can simply log on and just fill in the blanks and press send.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

In the words of Homer Simpson, "Doh!"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Two theories : Maybe NK did launch a missle and the TPTB are keeping it secret to avoid hostilities or to show NK how impotent they are......or.....Some right winger in Yokohama is trying to stir up sa-ma-that ol time war mongering.

Whadaya think?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

FadamorApr. 11, 2013 - 03:49AM JST Ditto for using the term "prank" in regards to an accident.

How do you know it was accident? Unless you have some information the rest of us don't, I don't see how "accident" applies.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

gelendestrasse:

Oops. Why even have the tweet ready? Takes all of 20 seconds to enter and send.....

They probably put a newly hired person (it's April, after all) in charge of handling the account and kanji being what it is, you know... Perhaps entered it beforehand, not to make a spelling mistake.

Not such a big mistake, per se, but it comes across as quite... How shall I put it? Incompetent? Irresponsible? I also think it shows how serious Yokohama is taking their tweeting as a similiar mistake probably would not have been made had paper shuffling been involved.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Why don't they identify by name of the official of Yokohama? After the investigation, who ever did this should be fired. If average citizens did a stupid prank like this, you might end up in jail.

While they might get fired, they couldn't go to jail unless it was proven they did it on purpose. You don't jail people for accidents unless illegal activity caused the accident. Ditto for using the term "prank" in regards to an accident. Calling it a "prank" implies it was intentional. Unless you have some information the rest of us don't, I don't see how "prank" applies.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

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