[Provisional Translation]

(Reporter)
I would like to ask you about the response to the forced launch this morning, and also the forthcoming measure to be taken.

(Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda)
The Government has strongly urged North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from conducting the launch in cooperation with other countries concerned. Despite such efforts, however, North Korea forced the launch today. It is profoundly regrettable and the launch is intolerable to Japan. The Government has already lodged a strong protest to North Korea. We have already requested Morocco, the President of the Security Council of the UN to promptly commence the consultation on this matter. In cooperation with the international community, the Government of Japan will take strong response to this matter. Also, no damage within our country has been identified as of now. Therefore, we would like to ask our people to continue on with their normal lives and activities as usual. Moreover, I had a phone conversation with Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of Okinawa a short while ago, and I shared my intention that we continue to conduct the reconfirmation of any possible damage while taking all possible measures on this matter.