A Japanese daily says Tokyo will mobilize its missile shield defense program with or without the support of the Cabinet in the event North Korea launches a long-range ballistic missile toward Japan or its waters.

The Mainichi Shimbun said Tokyo’s ministers will hold a meeting within this week to give Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada the authority to issue an order to intercept in accordance with Japan’s law on Self Defense Forces.

The Japanese government cited its citizens’ concern that requiring a Cabinet resolution could delay response times and increase the risk of a North Korean missile hitting Japanese territory.