Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno held a press conference after the ministerial meeting of the NSC (National Security Council), and on the morning of the 4th, the ballistic missile launched by North Korea passed over the vicinity of Aomori Prefecture and entered Japan's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone). It is estimated that the flight distance was about 4,600 km and the maximum altitude was about 1,000 km.

In this, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, ``At around 7:20 today, North Korea launched a ballistic missile eastward from the interior of North Korea.The details are still being analyzed, but the missile passed over Japan near Aomori Prefecture. After that, it is estimated that it fell outside Japan's EEZ (exclusive economic zone) on the Pacific Ocean at around 7:44."



He added, "At this time, no damage reports or other information has been confirmed. The government is currently conducting confirmation work through related agencies regarding whether or not there are falling objects in or near Japan's territory." .



In addition, it was revealed that the ballistic missile launched was estimated to have a flight range of about 4,600 km and a maximum altitude of about 1,000 km.



He also explained that the JSDF completely detected and tracked the missile from the moment it was launched until it fell, and that no damage was expected in Japan's territory, so the JSDF did not take any destructive measures.



"The government has made the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces take necessary measures from the perspective of establishing a thorough system to protect the lives and property of the people in any situation, but the specific response has been clarified. I would like to refrain from doing it."



On the other hand, regarding North Korea's intentions, he said, "I would like to refrain from making a definitive answer." We will strive to collect and analyze information with deep interest and do everything possible to ensure the peace and security of our country."

Statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno announced a statement by the Chief Cabinet Secretary after the ministerial meeting of the NSC = National Security Council.



"Related countries, including Japan, and the international community have repeatedly demanded that North Korea fully comply with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and criticized its provocative actions such as repeated ballistic missile launches. It is extremely regrettable and absolutely unacceptable that North Korea once again launched a ballistic missile that violated UN Security Council resolutions, especially one that flew over Japan. ”.



He added, "The launch of a ballistic missile that passed over Japan poses a grave and imminent threat to Japan's security, and threatens the peace and security of the region and the international community. We protested and condemned in the strongest terms."



In addition, as a future response of the government, ▽ focusing on the area where the ballistic missile is judged to have passed, and confirming again whether there is any damage caused by falling objects etc. ▽ including the future trend of North Korea In addition to ensuring thorough information collection and analysis, the government will provide information to the public in a timely and accurate manner.



In addition to constantly adopting the necessary posture, we will further strengthen cooperation and cooperation with related countries, including the United States and South Korea, and the international community, and promptly consider decisive responses to North Korea.



In addition, through the process of formulating a new national security strategy, we will realistically consider all options, including the so-called "counterattack capability," and drastically strengthen our defense capabilities with a sense of urgency. increase.

Liberal Democratic Party Chairperson Takagi Coordinating in the direction of adoption of condemnation resolution

Takagi, chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party's Diet countermeasures committee, said at the party's executive liaison meeting, "In the past, if a North Korean ballistic missile passed over our country, the Diet would pass resolutions condemning it. Basically, I would like to coordinate in the direction of adopting a resolution."