Japan and North Korea: Is preemption really an option?

[PacificWatcher]

During the last couple years there has been a good deal of talk in Japan about employing a preemptive strike against North Korea if Japan felt threatened. I have been wondering about this. Legal and social concerns aside could Japan actually successfully carry out such an attack without US help? I have heard different things from different people, some people think it would be no problem for Japan while others think they don't stand a chance. The most recent Taepodong launch, even though it was a failure, has brought up the topic again.
So I have been wondering about it, from a purely military standpoint could Japan do it and if so how?
Could they take out Musudan-Ri? What about the Nodongs?
Is the F-2 up to the job or will they need something newer to have a chance? Are the pilots well enough trained?
I would be interested in hearing what people think about this.

 

[Feanor]

Hi Pacific Watcher. I notice you're new around here. It would be helpful if you introduced yourself in the Intros and Off-Topic forum, as well as familiarizing yourself with the rules.

As for your thread, I'm assuming you mean a pre-emptive air-strike against DPRK missile facilities. I would imagine it's possible. But I seriously doubt they could take out all the facilities fast enough. The question is whether the BMD systems in Japan could stop the missiles. I suspect that we don't have enough information to answer that question, because we would need to know the numbers of missiles for starters.

 

[malayphil]

The Indian DRDO BMD system can be more appropriate for JapanDF.
The Dhanush and Prithvi missiles are better than the Patriots the JDF have.