Warning Issued over North Korean Rocket Launch: Japan and US Must Deepen Cooperation

Following the North Korean preparations to launch an alleged “observation satellite” rocket, which is widely feared to be a live-fire test of a long-range ballistic missile, Japanese Minister of Defense Naoki Tanaka confirmed, during a cabinet meeting on Mar. 27, that he plans to intercept the rocket using missile defense units. The Japan Self-Defense Forces have issued a warning. On Mar. 30, the Security Council of Japan is going to pass a shoot-down order based on the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Law.

Not only is there a possibility that rocket parts may land on Japanese territory or territorial waters, the interception preparations are a natural course of action to protect the lives and safety of the Japanese people.

The interception will require a large-scale operation to deploy surface-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability interceptor missiles in Okinawa Prefecture and Tokyo, as well as three Aegis-equipped destroyer ships. Utmost caution must be taken to ensure flawless preparations.

Most notably, the headquarters of Japan’s Air Defense Command, the cornerstone of its Air Self-Defense Force, were moved to the U.S. Yokota Air Base on Mar. 26. The Japan-U.S. joint operations coordination center, now turned into a missile defense base, has only recently been established. It is now time to prove its true value.

Information collected by the U.S. Satellite Early Warning System is crucial in the early stages of missile defense. This information is shared between the Japanese and U.S. forces at the coordination center, along with data gathered through the Air Self-Defense Force’s radars and airborne warning and control systems. This joint defense will ensure continuing peace and prosperity for Japan.

During the North Korean preparations to fire a missile in April of 2009, a miscalculation by the Air Self-Defense Force led to a premature announcement that the launch had taken place, which caused great disorder. The joint operation and U.S. Satellite Early Warning System is expected to prevent such complications in information handling.

Some believe that the interception of a missile heading towards U.S. territory is not feasible, because it would be an unconstitutional exertion of the right to “collective-self defense.” The commencement of the joint operation clearly stresses how far removed these claims are from reality. Exertion of the right to “collective self-defense” must be approved without further delay.

Tanaka, who ordered interceptive measures such as the shoot-down order, was questioned by the National Diet regarding his potentially inadequate knowledge and understanding of the country’s defense policies. His explanations were incoherent, and he continuously amended his answers and corrected himself.

On Mar. 26, the Budget Committee of the upper house of the Diet finally apologized for its irresponsible statements regarding the Japanese Self-Defense Force troops stationed in the Middle East and the Golan Heights as part of a UN peace-keeping operation. Among other things, it claimed to have received information about a cover-up, without addressing the plans for withdrawal of the units.*

This displays an inadequate sense of responsibility for the lives and safety of the dispatched troops. Yoshihiko Noda’s government is sure to disappoint if it continues to entrust the protection of Japan to such people.

*Editor’s note: This claim, while accurately translated, could not be verified.