North Korea Missile Launch Update

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Are you okay? Yes.

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

from near North Korea's east coast, at least

one ballistic missile toward the northeast

launched it.

As for the details, we are currently

coordinating closely among Japan, the U.S., and South Korea

to analyze them, but

the ballistic missile that was launched

reached a maximum altitude of approximately 60 kilometers

and flew approximately 440 kilometers,

and is believed to have fallen in the Sea of Japan,

outside our country's exclusive economic zone.

This is our assessment.

The prime minister was immediately

briefed on this matter,

and instructed us to devote every effort to gathering and analyzing information,

provide the public with prompt

and accurate information,

thoroughly confirm the safety

of aircraft, vessels, and so on,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and ensure a fully prepared response.

These were the three points

of the instructions given.

Furthermore, at the Ministry of Defense,

the defense minister received the prime minister's instructions

and, together with the U.S., South Korea, and others,

while coordinating closely,

to gather and analyze

information with every effort,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and continue surveillance and monitoring with

the utmost vigilance. These were the two points

he instructed us on.

So far,

no reports of damage from aircraft or vessels

or other information

have been confirmed.

Including the repeated launches of ballistic missiles and other weapons

up to this point,

this series of actions by North Korea

threatens the peace and security of

our country, the region, and

the international community.

Furthermore, such

ballistic missile launches violate relevant

U.N. Security Council resolutions

and concern the safety

of the public, making them a serious issue.

Regarding this launch,

our country lodged a protest with North Korea

through the embassy route in Beijing,

strongly protesting

and condemning it.

As the Ministry of Defense, to protect the lives

and property of the public,

we will continue to work closely

with the U.S., South Korea, and others,

and devote every effort to gathering, analyzing,

and monitoring

information.

And today, there is one more matter,

regarding our response to the typhoon,

that I would like to report on.

Currently, Typhoon Number 25

is approaching,

and the Eastern Army Headquarters at Camp Asaka

and the Eastern Army Intelligence Unit are gathering information

Strengthening our collective framework,

in line with developments within the Self-Defense Forces themselves,

we can swiftly take whatever action

is necessary, maintaining a fully prepared

posture.

We will continue to respond

with a sense of urgency.

- Those are the two points for today.

Minister, you have another appointment,

so we'll conclude here.