"It [the missile] did not manage to intercept, it did not work," Onodera told reporters after the cabinet meeting, as quoted by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper.
The minister noted the latest test had focused on coordination between the missile, radar and missile system, adding that the US authorities were currently looking into the details of the experiment.
READ MORE: Japan's Aegis Missile Defense System to Receive Commands From Tokyo
"We believe that if there are aspects that can be improved in missiles, it is sufficiently possible to reflect them in future production process," Onodera said.
The SM-3 Block IIB is developed jointly by the United States and Japan. The weapon is designed to be used in the US missile defense system, including in the facilities that are planned to be deployed in Japan, in order to intercept a possible intercontinental missile launched by Pyongyang.
READ MORE: Deployment of US Aegis Systems in Japan Has No Relation to INF Treaty — Tokyo
On December 19, the Japanese government approved the deployment of Aegis Ashore in the north and in the southwest of the country. The two facilities are expected to cover the entire country and will each cost Japan about $890 million.