TOKYO (Sputnik) — North Korea said this week it was examining a plan of a ballistic missile strike near Guam, which hosts several US military bases. The projectiles will travel over the Japanese prefectures of Shimane, Hirosima and Kochi.
Japan’s territory is protected by 34 short-range PAC-3 systems. They are stationed in densely populated areas and do not cover the three said prefectures. Additional interceptor systems would plug those gaps, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said.
Authorities are also considering deploying more destroyers equipped with Aegis missile defense systems. Aegis combat systems can destroy short- to medium-range ballistic missiles.