Japanese government warns civilians to take cover after North Korea reported a suspected missile launch by its coast guard
Japanese government warns civilians to take cover after North Korea reported a suspected missile launch by its coast guard
North Korea on Tuesday fired a ballistic missile at Japan for the first time in five years, warning residents to take cover and temporarily suspending train operations in northern Japan.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the Japanese Coast Guard reported on the missile test, which was launched off North Korea’s east coast.
The Japanese government warned civilians to take cover as the missile appeared to have passed over its territory before falling into the Pacific Ocean. It said it did not use any defense measures to destroy the missile, which was the first missile to fly over or from North Korea over Japan since 2017.
Japan’s top government spokesman Hirokazu said, “North Korea’s series of actions, including its repeated ballistic missile launches, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community, and to the entire international community, including Japan.” A serious challenge.” Matsuno said in a brief press conference.
Speaking to reporters shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called North Korea’s actions “barbaric”, and that the government would continue to collect and analyze information.
South Korea’s JCS said it appeared to be a medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) launched from North Korea’s Jagang province. North Korea has used that province to launch several recent tests, including several missiles it claimed were “hypersonic”.
TV Asahi, citing an unnamed government source, said North Korea may have fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and it fell into the sea about 3,000 km (1,860 mi) from Japan.
latest launch It was Pyongyang’s fifth in 10 days, amid flexing of military muscles by the United States and South Korea, which last week conducted a trilateral anti-submarine exercise with Japanese naval forces.
South Korea staged its display of advanced weapons Saturday to mark its Armed Forces Day, including multiple rocket launchers, ballistic missiles, main battle tanks, drones and F-35 fighters.
Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that the test prompted the East Japan Railway Company to suspend its train operations in the northern regions.
South Korean lawmakers said last week that North Korea had completed preparations for a nuclear test, which it could do sometime between the Communist Party of China Congress this month and the US midterm election in November.