Japan says North Korea fires at least one ballistic missile, lands outside EEZ

Japan's Defense Ministry said Thursday that North Korea had fired at least one ballistic missile.

Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro said North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile around 5 p.m. Thursday, and that the missile was believed to have landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, according to NHK and other media.

"We lodged a stern protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels and strongly condemned the launch," Koizumi said.

He went on to say that "North Korea's series of actions, including its repeated ballistic missile launches, threaten the peace and security of Japan and the international community, and constitute a grave issue concerning the safety of our people."

The Japanese government convened an emergency response team composed of relevant ministries at the crisis management center of the prime minister's office immediately after the launch.

Thursday's announcement marked the sixth time this year Japan's Defense Ministry had announced the launch of a ballistic missile or an object believed to be one from North Korea.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also announced that North Korea had fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea that day. The missile's flight distance was not disclosed.