Japan moves missile interceptor in bid to stop Kim Jong-un as World War 3 fears grow

North Korea last week fired a missile that flew over Hokkaido in northern Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan on Tuesday relocated the anti-missile battery to its Hakodate Base on the northern island of Hokkaido.

Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera defended the move as a precautionary measure against the growing threat from North Korea.

He said: “[North Korea] may launch ballistic missiles that would fly over our nation again in the future.”

He added: “To prepare for an emergency, we would like to make every effort possible to protect the people’s safety.”

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it clear that dialogue is not working with Kim Jong-un’s hermit state and sanctions must be enforced.

Earlier this week, he said: “Now is not the time for dialogue. Now is the time to apply pressure.”

The Mr Abe made the comments to a group of investors at the New York Stock Exchange, ahead of an address at the United Nations General Assembly.

Mr Abe said: “We can’t be satisfied that the U.N. has approved new sanctions against North Korea.

“What’s crucial now is to put sanctions into effect without lapses and that requires close cooperation with China and Russia.”

On September 11, the UN Security Council increased sanctions against North Korea over its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, imposing a ban on the isolated nation’s textile exports and capping imports of crude oil.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump warned North Korea in his speech to the UN that the US would “totally destroy” the country if threatened.

Tensions between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and President Trump escalated further when the US President said to the UN: “Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime.”

Japan has taken a hard line on North Korea and has pushed for increased sanctions and pressure.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has said: “We greatly appreciate President Trump’s approach to changing North Korea’s policy stance, denuclearising the country and calling on the international community, including China and Russia, for their cooperation toward strengthening pressure on North Korea.”