This information has been confirmed by Japan Coast Guard.
"According to the Defense Ministry, a ballistic missile was probably fired from the direction of North Korea. We urge maritime and air vessels to monitor up-to-date information; in case fragments are found, do not approach them and report to the maritime security service," the maritime authority said.
The missile has probably already fallen, the guard added. According the preliminary data, the incident occurred outside exclusive economic zone of Japan.
This is the first ballistic missile launch by North Korea in 2024. Pyongyang previously launched a missile on December 18, 2023, according to North Korean state news agency KCNA. The country reportedly was conducting tests of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). North Korea stresses the launches are conducted in response to actions of the United States and South Korea in the region and aim at reviewing Pyongyang’s combat readiness during nuclear war, KCNA reported.