Larry King's missile

The news is dominated by North Korea's missile tests. (Perhaps one of these dazzling chaps gave the order.) The trajectory of the missiles took them closer to Russia than to Japan, but it is Japan that most commentators see as most vulnerable in this situation. Japan are shouting loudest - sanctions imposed immediately. South Korea's hands are tied. It has put too much effort into creating closer relations to blow it all in one shot. The United States is worried - long range missiles could reach Alaska. But it is China that may well have the the most influential hand if any deal is to be made in the diplomatic sphere.

Television and newspaper analysis is in overdrive. In the U.S. studios, to me it all seemed bluster and empty rhetoric. After all it is a long way away. A bunch of clever people sitting round tables playing at international relations. That was until a very wrinkled Larry King asked, "So what do we do if they launch a missile into the centre of Tokyo?"

That woke me up.

The reply, by the way, was that it would warrant a "serious response".



The Japan Times' perspective
CNN's take on it
The People's daily in China report
The Korea Herald article
The BBC has this to say