Extraordinary Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

It has been determined that at about 7:55 AM this morning, North Korea launched a ballistic missile in an eastern direction from the country’s western coast. It is believed that the launched ballistic missile flew for approximately 500 km before landing in the Sea of Japan. As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of damages to aircraft or vessels.

This morning at 10 AM, the National Security Council (NSC) convened a meeting and a discussion on this matter took place. This launch by North Korea of a ballistic missile is a clear violation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and other decisions taken by the international community. Further, the launch is an extremely problematic act from the standpoint of ensuring the security of aircraft and vessels, and is completely unacceptable.

Considering that the launch took place immediately after the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, this was a clearly provocative act against Japan and the region. Japan immediately lodged a serious protest to North Korea through the embassy channel in Beijing. As was confirmed at the Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting, the Government strongly urges North Korea to abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile plans and to refrain from any further provocative acts.

Maintaining close collaboration with our ally the United States, South Korea, and other relevant countries, we will strongly urge North Korea to exercise self-restraint, while exerting our full efforts with a sense of urgency to ensure that we are able to carry out the necessary responses to any situation.

The Government will communicate information as appropriate. The people are asked to stay tuned to information from the Government and behave in a calm manner.

Q&As
 (Abridged)