North Korea Missile Launch Update

It's a pleasure

to meet you.

Are you all right? Yes.

At around 3:00 p.m. today, North Korea

launched at least

one ballistic missile from near its east coast

toward the northeast.

Details are currently

being closely coordinated and analyzed

by Japan, the United States, and South Korea,

but the launched ballistic missile

reached a maximum altitude of about 60 kilometers,

flew approximately 440 kilometers,

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

outside Japan's exclusive economic

zone.

The Prime Minister was immediately

briefed on this matter

and instructed us to make every effort

to gather and analyze information, and provide

the public with prompt and accurate information,

thoroughly confirm the safety

of aircraft, vessels, and so on,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and maintain a thorough

state of readiness, three points

in total.

At the Ministry of Defense,

the Defense Minister received the Prime Minister's instructions

and, while working closely with the United States,

South Korea, and others,

ordered every effort be made to gather

and analyze information,

prepare for unforeseen circumstances,

and continue to maintain comprehensive

vigilance and surveillance, two points

in total.

So far,

no reports of damage from aircraft

or vessels

have been confirmed.

Including the repeated launches of ballistic

missiles and the like to date,

this series of actions by North Korea

threatens the peace and security

of Japan, the region, and

the international community.

Furthermore, these ballistic

missile launches

violate the relevant UN Security Council resolutions

and are a serious issue concerning

the safety of the public.

Regarding this launch,

Japan lodged a strong protest with North Korea

through the embassy route

in Beijing

and strongly condemned it.

The Ministry of Defense will continue to protect the lives

and property of the public,

working closely with the United States, South Korea,

and others to gather information,

analyze it, and maintain vigilant

surveillance with every effort.

And today, one more point,

I would like to report on the response

concerning the typhoon.

Typhoon No. 25

is currently approaching,

and the Eastern Army Headquarters at Camp Asaka

The Eastern Army Intelligence Unit's intelligence-gathering

system has been strengthened,

enabling us to respond to developments within the SDF

itself and swiftly take the necessary measures

while maintaining a state of full

readiness.

We will continue to respond

with a sense of urgency.

There are two points today.

Minister, you have another appointment,

so we'll conclude here.