Japan and US to station Patriot interceptor missiles on American bases

JAPAN and the United States will station advanced Patriot interceptor missiles on American bases in Japan for the first time to bolster missile defence.

The announcement came just days after the two nations expanded their push to construct a joint anti-missile shield. The step came as diplomatic efforts intensified to halt suspected moves by North Korea to test a long-range ballistic missile.

South Korea also reportedly urged the United States to hold bilateral talks with Pyongyang to defuse the stand-off. Seoul’s foreign minister headed to Beijing for talks with North Korea’s top ally. Japan’s defence chief said it was unclear if Pyongyang was fuelling the missile in preparation for a launch — despite intelligence reports suggesting the contrary.