Japan prepares to shoot down North Korea spy satellite debris

Japan's defence minister on Saturday ordered self-defence forces to activate missile interceptors and prepare to shoot down debris of a North Korean spy satellite that fall on Japan's territory, expected to be launched using ballistic missile technology.

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un said earlier this week that its first military spy satellite will be launched at an unspecified date.

North Korea has test-fired about 100 missiles since early last year, saying it was responding to joint US-South Korean military drills that it calls an invasion rehearsal. 

Several of the missiles flew over Japan or landed off the northern Japanese coast.

Sources reported in 2012 and 2016, North Korea launched ballistic missiles which it said were satellites.

The missiles apparently flew over areas near the Sakishima Islands in the Southern Japanese prefecture of Okinawa, the publication reported.

Last week, North Korea test-launched a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time.

Defence Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Saturday instructed troops to ready PAC-3 surface-to-air missiles in southwestern Japan, including Okinawa and nearby islands, in an area believed to be under a flight path of a North Korean rocket that will carry the satellite.

He also ordered the deployment of destroyers equipped with SM-3 ship-to-air missiles to coastal waters, according to a ministry statement.

An order to fire missiles has to be approved by the prime minister.

North Korea is expected to carry out more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint air exercise into next week.

The defence minister also ordered ground forces to take necessary measures to minimize damage from falling objects that could land in Okinawa, NHK reported.