Monday, June 26, 2006

U.S. Patriots are going to Japan


Tokyo and Washington will deploy advanced Patriot interceptor missiles in Japan for the first time, officials said Monday amid concerns North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile.
The U.S. and Japan reached an accord on the interceptors this month after reports of the possible test-firing became public, and they plan to install the weapons on American bases in Japan as soon as possible, Japan's Defense Agency said.
Japan's largest newspaper said the interceptor missiles could be installed by the end of the year. It was unclear whether Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles — designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles or enemy aircraft — would be able to hit North Korea's latest long-range missile, the newspaper reported.