Japan says it will shoot down a North Korean rocket if necessary, as new satellite images appeared to show preparations for the launch next month.

日本称，如果有必要的话会击落朝鲜发射的火箭——最近卫星图像显示朝鲜正在为下个月的发射做准备。

The images of the rocket launch site were assessed by a US university
Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka issued the order to intercept¹ the rocket if it threatened Japan's territory.

Pyongyang says it will launch a satellite on a rocket between 12-16 April.

Satellite images taken on Wednesday indicate that work at the launch site is under way, says a US university.

Mr Tanaka had issued an earlier order on Tuesday to the country's defence forces to prepare ''destruction measures against ballistic（弹道的） missiles''.

On Friday, he told reporters in Tokyo that he had received cabinet approval to shoot down the rocket if necessary.

The country began preparing missile defence systems last week.

'Peaceful purposes'

Pyongyang said it plans to fire a rocket to put a satellite into orbit next month to mark the centennial of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-sung.

The move has sparked international criticism. North Korea claims the launch is for scientific research and ''peaceful purposes''.

But the United States and North Korea's neighbours insist it will be a disguised long-range missile test, contravening²（抵触，违反） UN resolutions.

The resolutions were imposed after a similar launch in April 2009. Japan is particularly concerned as the last North Korean rocket was launched over the north of the country.

It is thought that this rocket will follow a new southern trajectory³（轨道） instead of a route to the east over Japan. It will now pass close to south-western Japan instead.

South Korea also warned earlier this week that it might shoot down any North Korean rocket that strayed into its territory.

US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell over the weekend said that the rocket may affect an area between Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

President Benigno Aquino III has expressed concern that rocket debris⁴ may fall on Philippine territory, and called on Pyongyang to abandon the launch.

The controversial launch also comes only weeks after North Korea agreed to return to talks on its nuclear programme in return for food aid from the US - a deal which is now on hold.

At the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul earlier this week, President Barack Obama warned Pyongyang that its planned launch would only increase its isolation⁵ and lead to further sanctions.