Japan deploys ballistic missile shield

TOKYO: Japan's costly ballistic missile shield, which has never been used in a real-world situation, could soon have its first test. As tensions mount over North Korea's plan to launch a newly developed satellite-bearing long-range missile, Japan's Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Friday ordered the Japan Self-Defense Force (SDF) to prepare to destroy any ballistic missile fired from North Korea if it looks like hitting the country.