Japan Ministry of Defense: "North Korea Ballistic Missile Launch... Seems to Have Already Fallen"

The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced on the 31st at around 7:11 a.m. that a ballistic missile was launched from North Korea.

According to Asahi Shimbun and others, at least one ballistic missile is estimated to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) about 300 km west of Okushiri Island, Hokkaido, around 8:36 a.m. Shortly after, the Ministry of Defense additionally announced that the ballistic missile is believed to have already fallen. The Japan Coast Guard requested that navigating vessels do not approach any debris if found and report related information.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with reporters in front of the Prime Minister's Official Residence around 8:20 a.m. that day and explained, "At this point, there is no information on damage," adding, "I have issued instructions for providing information to the public and thoroughly confirming safety." He also stated that he would check the detailed situation and hold a National Security Council (NSC) meeting.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff also announced that day, "Our military detected one ballistic missile launched from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea at around 7:10 a.m.," estimating it to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched at a high angle.