Japan to prep for N. Korea rocket launch

TOKYO, March 23 (UPI) -- Japan's military will prepare a missile defense system ahead of a planned rocket launch by North Korea in April, the Japanese defense minister said Friday.

Defense Minister Naoki Tanaka told a news conference he requested officials prepare to deploy anti-missile PAC3 and Eagis ships ahead of the launch, CNN reported.

North Korea announced last week it would launch a rocket-powered "earth observation" satellite between April 12 and April 16, triggering alarm in countries in the region.

South Korean officials said they consider the launch an attempt to develop a nuclear-armed missile. The United States warned such a move would jeopardize a food aid agreement struck with North Korea in early March.