Oh my!

"If we accept that there is no other option to prevent an attack ... there is the view that attacking the launch base of the guided missiles is within the constitutional right of self-defense. We need to deepen discussion," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said.

"It's irresponsible to do nothing when we know North Korea could riddle us with missiles," echoed Tsutomu Takebe, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. "We should consider measures, including legal changes" required for such an attack, he said.

Japan's constitution foreswears the use of war to settle international disputes, but the government has interpreted that to allow defensive forces. The question is whether such a pre-emptive strike could be defined as self-defense.

A pre-emptive strike? From Japan?! Wowsers. Japan may not have the capability right now, but they could set up a missile strike in a couple months. For that matter, they have the technology and materials to drop a nuclear tipped ballistic missile on the Norks before the end of this year. If they can put satellites in orbit...