Govt to tell SDF to 'destroy' DPRK missiles.

From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

The government has decided to order the Self-Defense Forces to "destroy" missiles predicted to strike Japanese territory, in preparation for North Korea's scheduled launch of what it claims to be a satellite but is believed to be a ballistic missile, government sources said Wednesday.

The order may be issued by the end of this month, according to the sources.

The action will be taken in line with Article 82 of the Self-Defense Forces Law to enable the SDF to intercept missiles using its missile defense system.

Objects to be subject to the order will be defined as "ballistic missiles and others" deemed to pose a threat to Japanese territory. The government said the objects will include satellites predicted to strike Japanese territory--whether water or land--as well as rockets used to launch them, according to the sources.

The SDF law stipulates that prime ministerial approval alone is required for issuing such an order. In practice, however, the order would be issued following cabinet approval and would be announced to the public.

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