Japan to launch task force for DPRK rocket launch

TOKYO - Japan's Prime Minister's office will launch task force for Domestic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) rocket launch, said Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura on Wednesday.

"We will cooperate with partner countries to call on (DPRK) to forgo any action that will damage peace and stability in the region, and keep urging them until the last minute to stop the launch," Fujimura told a news conference.

The existing office under the prime minister's crisis management center was reorganized from early Wednesday afternoon to enhance its information-gathering capabilities, said Fujimura.

The Japanese government has been saying the rocket will "not normally fall within" Japan's territory, but preparations are being made just in case the rocket veers off from its planned trajectory.

The DPRK announced earlier it would launch an "earth observation" satellite, or the Kwangmyongsong-3, using a long- range rocket to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il-sung. The satellite is scheduled to be launched from a station in North Phyongan province between April 12 and 16.