As tension mounts ahead of North Korea's plan to launch a rocket over this country, Japan, the United States and South Korea are deploying several high-tech surveillance ships to monitor what the three allies suspect will actually be a ballistic missile test.
Experts say Pyongyang's launch offers regional powers a rare chance to collect intelligence on advances in its ballistic missile technology.
The Japan Coast Guard intends to retrieve any debris that may fall into Japan's exclusive economic zone, which could give defense analysts more insights into Pyongyang's capabilities. The Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to participate as well.