Japan deploys Patriot antimissile system in downtown Tokyo

The PAK-3 latest version of the Patriot antimissile system has been deployed in the courtyard of Japan’s Defence Ministry, in downtown Tokyo. The system is due to protect the city centre from a likely strike by the North Korean ballistic missile that Pyongyang may launch as early as this coming Wednesday, according to some reports.

Two more Patriots are due to be deployed in the city of Narashino, northeast of Tokyo, and at the Asaka military base, north of the Japanese capital.

Earlier, two Japanese naval ships took to sea, with antiaircraft missiles and Aegis computerized surveillance and targeting systems on board.

These are mainly responsible for intercepting the North Korean missile, if it should threaten Japan’s security.