TOKYO, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Japan reports the United States has asked permission to install another X-band radar system in the country to detect possible North Korean missile launches.
The Asahi Shimbun, quoting Japanese and U.S. military sources, said placement of the system if approved could be placed in either the Kyushu or Chungoku region and would monitor the Musudanri area of North Korea, where Pyongyang has a launching site for Taepodong-2 missiles.
The Taepodong-2 is a long-range ballistic missile capable in theory of hitting parts of the western United States. In July, North Korea test-fired a Taepodong-2 but it failed moments after liftoff.
The report Wednesday said the request now under consideration was made last month.
Under terms of U.S.-Japan agreements, the system would have to be located on a site run by Japan's military.
One X-band radar system is currently at a Japanese air station in the Aomori Prefecture. The USS Shiloh, an Aegis-equipped cruiser with anti-ballistic Standard Missile-3s, is based at Yokosuka Naval Base. U.S. Patriot missiles have also been deployed on Okinawa.
