Japan has ordered its military to intercept any debris that might fall on its territory should a planned North Korean missile launch go wrong.

The Japanese government on Friday convened an emergency security meeting presided over by Prime Minister Taro Aso and issued the orders in response to Pyongyang’s announcement that it will launch a rocket between April fourth and eighth.

It marks the first time for Japan to issue such orders since 2004 when it first introduced a missile defense system.

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces have dispatched two Aegis destroyers equipped with Standard Missile-3 interceptor systems to the East Sea and transported ground-based Patriot missiles to its northern regions.

North Korea has announced that it plans to launch a communications satellite between April fourth and eighth, warning that booster stages could fall near Japanese territory.

In line with the orders, Japan would initially attempt to intercept using its Aegis destroyers. If unsuccessful, Japan would then fire its Patriot missiles deployed from the mainland.