(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
At around 12:01 p.m. today, North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile from the inland regions of North Korea in a northeast direction. While details are currently being analyzed in close cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea (ROK), it is estimated that the ballistic missile launched reached a maximum altitude of approximately 100 km, flight distance of approximately 1,100 km, and fell in the Sea of Japan east of the Korean Peninsula, outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The Government has provided information to aircraft and vessels navigating in the vicinity, but there are no reports of damage or other confirmed information at this time. We immediately informed the Prime Minister of this incident. In response, the Prime Minister issued the following three instructions: 1. Dedicate maximum effort to gather and analyze information, and provide the public speedy and adequate information; 2. Ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, and other assets; 3. Take all possible measures for precaution, including readiness for contingencies. The Government has been consolidating information from the relevant ministries and agencies at the liaison office for responding to the situation surrounding North Korea, established under the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister’s Office, and an emergency response team has been convened to discuss Japan’s response. In response to the Prime Minister’s instructions, at the Ministry of Defense, I have issued the following two instructions: 1. Make every effort to gather and analyze information in close cooperation with the U.S., the ROK, and other countries, and 2. Continue to take all possible measures to conduct surveillance in readiness for the occurrence of contingencies. The series of actions by North Korea, including the repeated launches of ballistic missiles to date, threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community. Furthermore, such ballistic missile launches violate the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and are a serious issue that concerns the safety of the people. Japan has lodged a strong protest against North Korea and strongly condemned its actions. To resolutely protect the lives and property of the people, Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the U.S., the ROK, and other countries, and will make every effort to gather and analyze information, and to conduct surveillance. Going forward, if we receive any additional information that should be made public, we will do so promptly.