Japan will remain on alert over North Korea’s another possible rocket launch, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said Wednesday, following Pyongyang’s failed launch of a projectile.

“We will continue to build an appropriate system to respond to any situation based on an order for destruction measures,” Hamada told reporters.

“The Defense Ministry will strive to collect and analyze relevant information, while continuing to take all possible measures, such as warning and surveillance, with a sense of urgency,” the minister added.

Hamada made the remarks after North Korea said it launched a military spy satellite earlier in the day, but the launch failed due to an engine problem, vowing to conduct a second launch.

On Monday, Pyongyang notified Japan it plans to launch a satellite sometime between May 31 and June 11. In response, Hamada ordered the Self-Defense Forces to destroy any incoming ballistic missiles from North Korea if they appear to be falling into the Japanese territory.

The ministry plans to shoot down objects using Standard Missile-3 interceptors from Aegis destroyers in the East China Sea, as well as ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor missiles in Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan.

Meanwhile, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Pyongyang over the launch through diplomatic channels in Beijing.

“North Korea’s series of actions, including its repeated missile launches, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community. And the launch of such ballistic missiles violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” said Matsuno.

The top government spokesman also said Japan will work closely with the international community, including the US and South Korea, to respond to the planned launch.

Source: Kuwait News Agency