'N. Korea to Test Fire Another Missile'

North Korea might fire a close- to mid-range ballistic missile from Wonsan, east of the capital Pyongyang, after the long-range missile is launched, the Japanese daily the Sankei Shimbun reported on Sunday, quoting unnamed sources with Japan's defense ministry.

Pyongyang announced last month that it would launch satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit as part of its space program sometime between April 4 and April 8.

However, the United States, South Korea, and Japan believe that North Korea will be actually testing a long-range missile -- the Taepodong-2, which is allegedly capable of reaching Alaska.

Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday that Japan's Air Self-Defense Force had started to deploy units capable of shooting down a rocket to the northern prefectures of Akita and Iwate.

A spokesman for Japan's Ministry of Defense told the Reuters that he was not immediately able to comment on the reports.

Japan has already permitted its military to shoot down any incoming North Korean rocket. Pyongyang has warned that any attempt to shoot its satellite down would be regarded as an act of war.

"Shooting our satellite for peaceful purposes will precisely mean a war," the North Korea's military said in early March.