North Korea missile launch update

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Are you okay? Yes.

Today at around 3:00 p.m., North Korea

launched at least

one ballistic missile northeastward

from near its eastern coast.

Details are currently

being closely coordinated and

analyzed by Japan, the U.S., and South Korea,

but the launched ballistic missile

reached a maximum altitude of about 60 kilometers,

traveled about 440 kilometers,

and is estimated to have fallen outside Japan's

exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.

This is our assessment.

The Prime Minister was immediately

briefed on this matter,

and ordered that every effort be made

to promptly provide the public with

accurate information,

thoroughly ensure the safety

of aircraft, vessels, and so on,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and take all possible measures,

on these three points

instructions were issued.

Furthermore, at the Ministry of Defense,

the Defense Minister

received the Prime Minister's directives, and, while closely coordinating with the United States,

South Korea, and others,

ordered that every effort be made

to collect and analyze information,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and continue surveillance with utmost

vigilance, on these two points

instructions were issued.

At this time,

no reports of damage from aircraft or vessels

or other information

have been confirmed.

Including the repeated launches to date of ballistic missiles and other weapons,

these repeated launches,

this series of actions by North Korea

threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region,

and the international community.

It is a threat.

Furthermore, such ballistic

missile launches

violate relevant UN Security Council resolutions,

and concern the safety

of the public, making them a serious issue.

Regarding this launch,

Japan has, in response to North Korea,

through the embassy route in Beijing,

lodged a strong protest

and strongly condemned it.

As the Ministry of Defense, to protect the lives

and property of the public,

we will continue to work closely with the United States, South Korea,

and others,

and devote every effort to gathering and analyzing

information and conducting surveillance.

We will continue to do so.

And today, one more point,

I would like to report on our response to the typhoon.

Please allow me to do so.

Typhoon No. 25

is currently approaching,

and the Eastern Army Headquarters at Camp Asaka and

The Eastern Army Intelligence Unit's

intelligence-gathering system has been strengthened,

enabling us to take necessary action promptly

as the situation develops,

and we are maintaining a state of full

readiness. We will continue to respond

with a sense of urgency.

- That concludes today’s two points.

Minister, you have another appointment.

- So, that concludes this.

Thank you.