Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga

I have an announcement concerning the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea. At about 7:34 a.m. this morning, four ballistic missiles were launched from the western coast of North Korea, of which three are believed to have fallen within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The details of the launch are currently being analyzed. Following the launch Prime Minister Abe immediately received a report on this matter and issued instructions on the following three points: (i) dedicate the greatest possible efforts to gathering and analyzing information, and provide information to the public in a timely and accurate manner; (ii) thoroughly ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels, etc.; and (iii) take all possible preparations, including preparations for contingencies . Further, the Government, along with consolidating information through the Response Office within the Prime Minister’s Office for the Situation in North Korea, which is established at the Crisis Management Center of the Prime Minister’s Office, held a meeting among director-general level officials of the relevant ministries and agencies and had a discussion about response measures. Although this is still in the process of confirmation, as of now there have been no confirmed reports of damages to nearby aircraft or vessels. The ballistic missiles launched today by North Korea are thought to have fallen within Japan’s EEZ and as such pose a grave threat to the security of Japan. Furthermore, the launch is an extremely problematic act from the standpoint of ensuring the security of aircraft and vessels, and is also a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. These kinds of repeated provocations by North Korea are absolutely intolerable , and the Japanese Government has issued a serious protest against North Korea, condemning the launch in the strongest possible terms. We will continue to exert our greatest possible efforts in gathering and analyzing information, and will make a swift announcement in the case that additional information pertinent to the public is obtained.