On February 3, Japan’s defence minister, Gen Nakatani issued an order to destroy such a missile if it “is confirmed that it will fall on Japanese territory”. Nakatani’s order followed an announcement from North Korea. A day earlier, North Korea confirmed that it was preparing to launch the Kwangmyongsong earth observation satellite sometime between 8 and 25 February. On the photo, Patriot missile batteries in Tokyo.

Japan’s government is taking precautions to ensure the national security. Japan’s missile defence options include PAC-3 surface-to-air anti-ballistic missiles positioned on land and SM-3 interceptors mounted on warships equipped with Aegis radar systems.

The defense minister’s order remains in force until February 25 allowing for its extension. Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, called the possible launch a “serious provocation”, adding that he would work with the US and South Korea to demand that Pyongyang abandon the planned launch.

“If North Korea goes ahead and launches the rocket, it would clearly violate UN security council resolutions and pose a serious provocation,” Abe said in parliament. Currently, Japan is keeping track of all incoming information searching for evidence of a launch.

South Korea also warned Pyongyang against going ahead with the launch. “We warn that if North Korea proceeds with a long-range missile launch, the international society will ensure that the North pays searing consequences for it,” said senior South Korean official.

North Korea is dominating headlines in the world media as Pyongyang claimed it had tested successfully a hydrogen bomb in early January. North Korea declares that it has to develop its nuclear capability. Such campaigns are needed for self-defense. North Korea is thought to have made progress towards developing a nuclear warhead small enough to be mounted on a missile capable of striking the US mainland.