It isn't an attack, it's pre-emptive self-defence

In the wake of North Korea's long range missile tests, Shinzo Abe, Japanese government spokesman and feted replacement for the current Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said that Japan was looking into whether its constitution would allow it to attack North Korea missile bases. He has also been a leading voice in calls for amendments to Japan's pacifistic (but admittedly American-written) constitution to allow it to develop a greater military that it's current Ji-Ei-Tai or Self-Defence Force.

Obviously this is sabre-rattling. But not just to try to intimidate the North Koreans. It is also almost certainly an attempt by Abe to establish himself with the Japanese public before he takes over from Koizumi.