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Japan completed the deployment of interceptor missiles on Monday, the country's Defense Ministry said, as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has moved all three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial satellite launch. Japan's Self-Defense Force has installed ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors on islands and in Tokyo, Xinhua News Agency cited a ministry's official as saying. In addition, three Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyers are on their way to the East China Sea, according to the ministry. The DPRK has announced plans to launch an observation satellite using a three-stage rocket between Thursday and April 16 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's founder Kim Il-sung. The Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite will be launched using a long-range rocket from the DPRK's northwest. Pyongyang has insisted that the launch is a scientific achievement intended to improve the nation's economy. However, the satellite launch plan has aroused concerns from the international community. The United States, Japan, Britain and other nations have urged the DPRK to cancel the launch, warning that firing the long-range rocket would violate UN resolutions and Pyongyang's promise to suspend its nuclear and missile activity. According to Xinhua, an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea told reporters at a briefing on Monday that the ROK and the US "are keeping close tabs on movements" related to what the official called the DPRK's "long-range missile launch". | 
