March 25

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has strongly condemned North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile, which fell into the sea near Japan's waters.

Kishida, who was in Belgium to attend a G7 summit, talked to reporters shortly after the missile fell into the Sea of Japan off Hokkaido on Thursday.

He said North Korea had launched what appeared to be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile, which fell inside Japan's exclusive economic zone close to its territorial waters. He said this is unforgivable and that he strongly condemns it.

Kishida pointed out that the launch is only the latest in a series of ballistic missile firings, some involving ICBMs, that the North has conducted this year. He said its conduct is posing a threat to peace and the security of Japan, the region, and the international community.

Kishida also said the latest launch violates UN Security Council resolutions against the North. He said Japan has lodged a protest through diplomatic channels.

He stressed that Japan will do all it can to collect information and conduct surveillance of North Korean missiles to ensure security for Japan, in close cooperation with the US and other countries concerned.

The prime minister said Japan will work with the US, South Korea and other countries to decide on what countermeasures to take against Pyongyang, such as additional sanctions. He also said he will raise the issue during the G7 summit.

NHK