Japan on alert as window opens for NKorea

JAPAN says it's on full alert over North Korea's planned rocket launch despite a suggestion from Pyongyang that it could delay the much-criticised move. 
 
North Korea says the launch, originally scheduled for December 10-22, could be changed "for some reasons", giving no further details.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing a government official in Seoul, said on Sunday the North had stopped all preparations at the launch site in the country's northwest.
Japan has deployed missile defence systems to intercept and destroy the rocket if it looks set to fall on its territory.

"We are taking all possible measures for vigilance," Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters as he entered his office on Monday before the launch window opened at 7am (0900 AEDT).
Defence Minister Satoshi Morimoto says Tokyo will keep a close eye on developments despite the comments from North Korea.

"We don't think enough changes are occurring to change our posture," he said.
"We will maintain our current posture unless North Korea issues a formal notice or announcement" on the delay, he said.

Source: Japan on alert as window opens for NKorea