Regarding the ballistic missile launched from North Korea on the 14th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi presumed that it was an intermediate-range ballistic missile, but said that it was still being analyzed whether it was a hypersonic weapon, and clarified that a mechanism for immediate information sharing is in operation among the three countries, including this response. Regarding the ballistic missile launch on the 3th, North Korea announced that it was a test launch of a solid-fuel intermediate-range ballistic missile, which can be launched more quickly than the conventional liquid-fueled one, and claimed that it was equipped with a warhead that glides at hypersonic speeds.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said at a press conference on the morning of the 15th, "Considering the information obtained comprehensively, it is estimated that the missile launched yesterday is an intermediate-range ballistic missile.
"In general, hypersonic weapons are slower to detect by radar and more difficult to intercept, and we believe that North Korea may continue to engage in further provocations such as launching various missiles in the future, and we will continue to make every effort to monitor the situation in close cooperation with the United States, South Korea, and other countries," he said.
In addition, regarding the mechanism for immediately sharing missile launch information among Japan, the United States, and South Korea, which began operation last month, he said, "We are constantly sharing information in real time on an ongoing basis, including this response."