(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, at around 5:02 p.m., North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile. While the 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 that was launched fell off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. The missile has not been confirmed to have flown toward the territory or the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Japan. At this stage, there are no reports of damage to aircraft or vessels flying or sailing nearby. 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 with information in a timely and appropriate manner, 2. ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, and other assets, and 3. take all possible measures for precaution, including readiness for contingencies. At the Ministry of Defense (MOD), in response to the Prime Minister’s instructions, I issued the following two instructions by the Minister of Defense: 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. Subsequently, we have been working in earnest, including holding a meeting with relevant senior officials under my leadership. 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. Regarding today’s launch, Japan has lodged a strong protest against North Korea through the embassy route in Beijing and strongly condemned it. To resolutely protect the lives and property of the people, the MOD 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. That concludes my announcement about North Korea’s missile launch. Next, I have one announcement about an area affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake. At around noon of today, August 6, a forest fire broke out in Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Local fire and other departments conducted firefighting activities but were unable to bring the fire under control. Accordingly, at 4:40 p.m. today, the Governor of Kumamoto Prefecture requested the Commander of the Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army for disaster relief operations in the form of aerial firefighting operations, and the request was accepted immediately. We will now proceed with the arrangements. That concludes my opening remarks for today.