North Korea fires suspected ballistic missile, Japan says

Japan said North Korea fired an object that may be a ballistic missile on Thursday.

The launch was reported over the sea, and South Korea’s military also said North Korea had fired an unidentified flying object toward the East Sea.

Japan’s Defense Ministry said the object was believed to have fallen outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, an area where Japan has certain rights over resources.

Japan’s Coast Guard told ships to watch for further information and stay away from any debris they find.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered officials to gather and assess information, share it quickly with the public, and check the safety of ships and aircraft.

No damage had been reported in Japan by the latest update.

The launch was the first reported by Japan since a previous suspected North Korean missile launch 17 days earlier.