Japan's Self-Defense Forces are deploying units operating a land-based interceptor missile system as North Korea is reportedly making final preparations to launch what it calls a military spy satellite. The launch could involve the use of ballistic missile technology.

A transport plane carrying a PAC3 missile launcher arrived on Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni in Okinawa Prefecture on Sunday morning. The launcher was transported to a Ground Self-Defense Force camp.

The deployment comes after Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu on Saturday ordered the SDF to make preparations for destroying ballistic missiles or other objects that could land in Japanese territory.

The Maritime Self-Defense Force will also deploy destroyers equipped with the Aegis missile-tracking system, which has an advanced radar system and interceptor missiles.

North Korea has not revealed a launch date or any other details.

In 2012 and 2016, Pyongyang launched what were believed to be ballistic missiles, describing them as satellites. The projectiles flew over areas near the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

The SDF had deployed PAC3 systems in Okinawa and the Tokyo metropolitan area for those launches, but interceptor missiles were not fired.