The new missile passed over the territory of Japan and landed in the country’s coastlines.
3 days after its latest missile test, North Korea launched another missile. This missile test, however, is much more significant as it has transgressed the airspace of Japan.
Though it is not an unprecedented act, the missile test occurred after a recent rise of tensions between US and North Korea over the test of long-range missiles. Last month, the North tested for a second time its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Japan government condemned the test harshly and vowed to retaliate. If initial reports prove correct and a long-range missile has been flown over the Japanese mainland, this will be regarded as a far more provocative act than flying shorter-range weapons into the sea.
The missile was not targeted by Japan’s military while passing the Japanese sky last night. It is reported to have flown 2,700 km (1678 miles) before landing in Japan coasts.
The coast of Hokkaido was where the missile hit and reportedly broke into three pieces.
“We will make utmost efforts to firmly protect the lives of the people,” Shinzo Abe told reporters as he entered his office for emergency meetings on the missile firing.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed that the missile passed the airspace of Japan. He further called it a grave threat to the nation:
It could endanger peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also very dangerous and problematic in terms of the traffic safety of planes and ships. The launch is an obvious violation of UN resolutions. We cannot tolerate these repeated provocations by the North. We condemn this in the strongest possible way.
The response by US government, Japan and South Korea may lead to a belligerent response by the North and fire up a new war in the region. The three countries are colliding to reach a joint policy in confronting Pyongyang. Trump, however, is not believed to be able to manage the condition which was worsened during his period.