UPI:
Japan is planning to launch a missile defense satellite next Tuesday to upgrade the country’s surveillance network that can detect and track North Korea missile launches.
The satellite will be launched from Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture, NHK reported on Tuesday.
The satellite Japan’s self-defense forces will be launching is mainly for ballistic missile defense. It is likely the satellite is a countermeasure to North Korea’s developing missile capability, according to the report.
The step is also being taken as Japan’s SDF is shouldering more responsibilities, in line with security legislation ratified in 2015.
In December, Japan’s military was allowed for the first time to use firearms and other weapons in peacekeeping missions in South Sudan…
