Japan says to build up defense following N. Korea missile test

“We strongly condemn North Korea’s missile launches. This violates provisions of the UN Security Council resolutions,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters on Tuesday.

“For the safety of our citizens, I instructed responsible agencies to analyse information through surveillance and intelligence gathering and to closely interact on this issue with the international community, including the United States”, Kishida added.

Kishida also announced that the government “intends to continue to significantly increase the country’s defence capabilities to protect Japan’s territory, waters, residents and airspace”.

The statement by the Japanese PM was issued after Pyongyang reportedly conducted a short-range ballistic missile test, raising concerns in Seoul and Tokyo.

According to Yonhap news agency, citing South Korean officials, the missile flew 430-450 kilometres (267-279 miles), reaching an altitude of 60 kilometres (37 miles).

Kishida has interrupted his working trip to the country’s regions and decided to return to Tokyo after the North Korean missile launches, the Kyodo news agency reported.

Beijing announced it is aware of the DPRK’s ballistic missile firing, hoping all sides to remain restrained and jointly promote the political settlement of the Korean Peninsula issue, according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, CGTN reported.