JAPAN has defiantly warned crackpot dictator Kim Jong-un that it will shoot down any missiles fired at the US territory of Guam.

Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera today said that any North Korean rocket attack would be a Japanese national emergency that would threaten the nation’s existence.

5 Japanese Defence Minister Onodera has warned that his country will shoot down any North Korean missiles fired at Guam Credit: Reuters

5 An American-built PAC-3 Patriot missile unit deployed in the compound of the Japanese Defence Ministry in Tokyo Credit: AP:Associated Press

He added that a assault on the Pacific island of Guam – where America has a major military base - would breach the US deterrence against an attack on Japan.

Pictures have emerged today showing an American-built PAC-3 Patriot missile unit deployed in the compound of the Japanese Defence Ministry in Tokyo.

Onodera said his country can exercise the right to "collective" self-defence and activate the Aegis destroyer ship-to-air missile defence system.

His explosive comment underscores Japan's growing military role and reverses its previous position that it can only shoot down missiles headed to Japan.

A defence law that took effect last year allows Japan's military to defend US and other allies when they come under enemy attack.

5 President Trump has warned North Korea that it "will be met with fire and fury" if it continues to threaten the US Credit: AFP or licensors

5 North Korea leader Kim Jong-un continues to develop his nuclear weapons programme and make terrifying threats against the US

5 North Korea fires a long-range ballistic missile - capable of carrying a nuclear warhead - last month Credit: EPA

South Korea has also weighed in claiming North Korea will face a "stern and strong" response from Washington and Seoul if it acts on threats to fire missiles near Guam.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Roh Jae-cheon said today that the US and South Korean militaries are prepared to "immediately and sternly punish" any kind of provocation by North Korea.

On Monday night, two US B-1 bombers were flown from Guam over the Korean peninsula in a joint exercise with the Japanese and South Korean air forces.

The exercise will have antagonised North Korea and its military-obsessed dictator Kim.

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The country’s state-run Korean Central News Agency reported just hours later that the military "may send a strong message" it can take out military assets on Guam.

Intelligence reports state North Korea has produced nuclear weapons and is capable of striking Guam and targets further afield.

President Donald Trump didn’t hold back as he told North Korea the US would not tolerate threats from maniacal despot Kim.

Speaking to reporters at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump said: “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States.

“They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.”

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