(Provisional translation by an external company for reference purpose only)
Today, at around 5:54 p.m., North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile off its east coast in a northeasterly direction. While the details are currently being analyzed in close cooperation between Japan, the United States (U.S.), and the Republic of Korea (ROK), it is estimated that the ballistic missile that was launched had a maximum altitude of approximately 70 kilometers and a flight distance of approximately 590 kilometers and fell into the Sea of Japan, outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Regarding the launch of ballistic missiles and other projectiles by North Korea, since the beginning of 2026 there have been nine launch events, including today’s, in which at least 15 missiles have been launched. Last year there were four launch events and at least five missiles were launched, so the number of launch events has more than doubled since last year and at least three times as many missiles have been launched. 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. At this stage, there are no reports of damage from aircraft or vessels. 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.