Home > Policy > Cabinet Decisions and Other Announcements > 2012 > Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on the launch of a missile by North Korea
Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary on the launch of a missile by North Korea
Friday, April 13, 2012
(Provisional translation)
April 13, 2012
- At approximately 7:40 am today, some kind of flying object was launched from North Korea. The flying object flew about over one minute, and then fell into the Ocean. Taking into account the various information we gathered thereafter, it is confirmed that the flying object is the missile which North Korea calls a "satellite." Also, we have not received any information which indicates that it fell into within the territory of Japan, and no damage upon our citizens has been reported.
- The countries concerned including Japan have strongly urged North Korea to exercise restraint over the launch. The launch by North Korea despite such efforts is a grave provocation from the security point of view which undermines the peace and stability of the region including Japan. The launch is a violation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1874, which demands North Korea not to conduct any launch using ballistic missile technology, as well as UNSCR 1695 and 1718. It also violates the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, and is against the spirit of the Joint Statement of the Six Party Talks of September 2005. Furthermore, it goes against the recent development in the international community towards resolving various issues through dialogue with North Korea. From these standpoints, the launch is intolerable to Japan. Japan strongly protests against North Korea and deplores the launch.
- Japan urges North Korea to immediately and fully implement all relevant UNSCRs. Once again Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete actions towards resolving the outstanding issues of concern such as abduction, nuclear and missiles programs.
- The Government of Japan will take the following measures for the time being:
(1) Continue to conduct further information gathering and investigation,
(2) Make every effort to provide the public with the relevant information,
(3) In response to this launch that is the clear violation of UNSCRs, strengthen collaboration with the U.S., ROK, China and Russia, and promote coordination with other relevant parties and the international community, on issues including taking appropriate measures at the UN Security Council.
- We would like to ask our citizens to continue on with their normal lives and activities as usual.
(END)
