Japanese Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka has ordered the interception of a North Korean satellite if necessary following its anticipated launch next month.

Tanaka said the ministry will deploy an Aegis destroyer to three areas around Okinawa including the East China Sea, the western Pacific Ocean and the East Sea in preparation for the launch.

Japan will also dispatch F15 fighter jets to patrol the ships while the vessels track the satellite using radar.

North Korea announced that it will launch a long-range rocket carrying an earth observation satellite some time between April 12th and the 16th. The move is widely regarded as a test missile launch.