BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Japan threatens force against N Korea

Japan has warned it would launch a pre-emptive military action against North Korea if it had firm evidence Pyongyang was planning a missile attack.


Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it would be "a self-defence measure" if North Korea was going to "resort to arms against Japan".


Mr Ishiba said it would be too late if a North Korean missile was already on its way.


His remarks were the latest in the international row over Pyongyang's nuclear intentions, and followed a North Korean warning that it had the ability to strike American targets anywhere in the world, if provoked. [...]

This is the first time I can remember Japan threatening force against anyone. Color me surprised, but considering the subject - Korea - maybe I shouldn't be.