日本将启动导弹防御系统

Japanese Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka says Japan has ordered missile defence systems to be prepared in response to the planned launch of a North Korean long-range rocket next month.

日本国防部长田中直树称，为回应朝鲜下月发射远程火箭的计划，日本已经下令启动导弹防御系统。

The last time North Korea launched a rocket-mounted satellite, the UN imposed sanctions
Reports said the defence systems would be deployed near the island of Okinawa to shoot down the rocket should it threaten Japanese territory.

North Korea says the rocket will put a satellite into orbit.

But the US and its allies believe the launch is a pretext（借口，托辞） for a missile test.

'Grave provocation'

Pyongyang said last week it was to mark the 100th birthday of its late Great Leader Kim Il-sung.

The announcement drew widespread criticism that the launch would violate UN Security Council resolutions.

The resolutions were imposed after a similar launch in April 2009. Japan is particularly concerned as the last North Korean rocket was launched over the country.

"I have ordered officials to prepare to deploy the PAC-3 and Aegis warships," Mr Tanaka said.

South Korea, China and the US have also expressed concern over the planned launch.

"It would be a grave provocation threatening the peace and security of the Korean peninsula and north-east Asia," the South Korean foreign ministry said in a statement.

Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua said Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun met Pyongyang's ambassador to express Beijing's "worry".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called North Korea's announcement "highly provocative".