Amidst rising tensions between North Korea and the United States, the latter’s allies are entering a heightened state of readiness in preparation for a North Korean preemptive strike.
Japanese citizens are now being briefed that a missile launched from North Korea may take less than 10 minutes to reach the country.
Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura released a statement saying that “A missile may not be detected as soon as it leaves the launch pad . . . and that could take several minutes.”
“Depending on the case, the warnings and alarms might only sound four or five minutes before a missile arrives.”
In light of the dire situation, instructions have been issued for people to walk to the nearest strongest building, or if none are within walking distance, stay close to the floor, or seek shelter under a low-bearing structure if the aerial raid alarms go off. Incoming missile drills are also being conducted in schools across the country, should an strike occur during school hours.
Japan’s emergency broadcast service, J-alert, is design to communicate urgent messages to all citizens quickly. It is now on stand-by, should conflict break out.
Tensions in the region are escalating quickly and may soon reach the point of no return.
There has been a massive gathering of military hardware in both sides of Parallel 38, and China, one of North Korea’s most loyal allies, has moved a large contingent of troops close to the border.
The US has dispatched a carrier strike group to North Korean waters, and the Ohio-class nuclear submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727) has recently docked in South Korea to bolster the US’ rapid strike capabilities. The boat displaces 18,000 tons when underwater, and it’s well armed with third-generation submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), the Trident C-4.
This third-generation weapon, designed to replace the Poseidon-class armament, can deliver conventional or nuclear warheads at a range of 4,000 nmi.