Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan, warns it may down rocket

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Published: MARCH 14, 2009 03:16
Japan on Friday hinted it could down an incoming North Korean rocket, but analysts said the communist country will go ahead with a planned April launch with little fear of the consequences. The North announced this week it will send a satellite into orbit between April 4-8, saying it would fly over Japan and designating a "danger" zone off the neighboring country in order to warn international shipping and aviation to avoid the area. "We protest a launch, and strongly demand it be canceled," Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Friday. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said the country reserves the right to take out the rocket if it looks like it could hit.