Not surprisingly given its proximity, Japan has drafted a U.N. resolution condemning the test-firing of missles by it's North Korean neighbors.  There's been a lot of hype in the press over this issue, leaving the impression that the situation is more grave than it actually is.  North Korea has not near the capacity to inflict harm to the U.S.  They're testing what are basically missles of the 1940s.  Our 21st century missle defense system makes us a Goliath against a David with a rock and no sling, and in this case David has a weak arm.  We need however concern ourselves with our allies in the region, namely Japan and South Korea among others.
Although the North Korean threat is considerably weak in terms of America's safety, a strong message must be sent to the North Korean's, and it is paramount that such a message not fall on deaf ears as seems to have been the case since they continue to act aggressively.  The hard line Japan is taking is definitely wise.  One can't tread lightly near tyrants.