North KoreaOn the evening of the 21st, a suspected North KoreanJapanLaunching towards Okinawaballistic missile, Japan launched a nationwide instantaneous warning system (J-Alert). After this the ballistic missile entered the Pacific Ocean and Japan lifted the alert. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida strongly condemned North Korea’s missiles that flew over Japan’s territory and posed a threat to civilian life and property.
The Defense Ministry said that North Korea is suspected of launching a ballistic missile into Japan after 10:40 pm local time on the 21st. It flew over Okinawa Prefecture and entered the Pacific Ocean at about 10:55 p.m. The Japanese government later lifted the evacuation warning for Okinawa Prefecture and took no sabotage actions to destroy the missile.
Defense Ministry officials said the ballistic missile launched by North Korea may have been an artificial satellite. Vice Defense Minister Hiroyuki Miyazawa said, “It has not yet been confirmed whether the satellite has entered Earth orbit or not, and we are analyzing whether the launch was a success or a failure.”
Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) and All Japan News Network (ANN) reported that Kishida entered the Prime Minister’s official residence at around 11:55 pm on the 21st. In response to a suspected ballistic missile passing over Japan, Kishida said, “Today, North Korea conducted a launch using ballistic missile technology. We are analyzing the detailed process, but at least one missile flew over Okinawa. It flew into the Pacific Ocean.”
Kishida said, “Even if the launch is an artificial satellite, launching using ballistic missile technology clearly violates relevant UN resolutions and is an act that has a major impact on the lives and property of our people. “
Kishida issued three instructions. The first is to confirm as soon as possible whether any damage has been caused by objects falling in the path of the missile. The second is to continue collecting and analyzing relevant information on North Korea’s future activities. The last is to cooperate with relevant countries such as the United States and South Korea and take necessary countermeasures in time.
Relevant sources in the police authorities said that no relevant damage reports have been received yet. Ishigaki City and Yonaguni Town in Okinawa Prefecture have set up response teams to collect relevant damage reports. The Okinawa Prefectural Government said there is currently no information on damage caused by the missiles in Okinawa Prefecture.
International(TagstoTranslate)Japan(T)Ballistic Missiles(T)North Korea
