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Japan protests North Korea ballistic missile launch

North Korea launched a ballistic missile that fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, prompting a diplomatic protest.

7:36 AM

Japan protests North Korea ballistic missile launch

Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea over the launch of a ballistic missile, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tuesday.

"Through diplomatic channels, via the embassy in Beijing, we expressed a strong protest," Koizumi told journalists. The defense minister said the launch violated current UN Security Council resolutions.

The missile fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan, according to the country's Defense Ministry. No information about damage to vessels in the region has been received, a ministry source told Kyodo news agency.

The Japan Coast Guard issued a warning to vessels in the region not to approach any missile debris they might find and to immediately contact Japanese authorities.

Koizumi said Japan, together with the United States and the Republic of Korea, is currently continuing to analyze information related to North Korea's missile launch. The defense minister confirmed that no damage has been reported.

This marks the second ballistic missile launch by North Korea in a week. A previous launch occurred on August 6, with that missile also falling outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

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