July 18 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Japan Coast Guard has warned of the launch of possible ballistic missiles by North Korea, a practice that Tokyo has repeatedly denounced in the last week.
The first alert occurred around 3:30 in the morning (local time), when the Coast Guard sighted “what could be a ballistic missile” from North Korea.
After this, the authorities have urged all ships in navigation to remain attentive to future information, according to the Japanese NHK radio television.
Barely fifteen minutes later, the Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that the possible missile had already fallen, and has subsequently warned of the second launch of a North Korean projectile.
The Japanese government has convened an emergency meeting composed of officials from various ministries and agencies related to emergency management.
These alleged North Korean ballistic missile launches come just two days after the United States, Japan and South Korea conducted a joint missile defense naval exercise.
Washington, Tokyo and Seoul thus tried to show strength and unity, while improving their preparation, in the face of the growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat from Pyongyang.
