North Korea's missile launched on Monday flew at least 1,100 kilometers (683.5 miles) before falling into the sea, media added, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
This launch of a ballistic missile by Pyongyang was the first this year and occurred two months after the launch of a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) on November 5, the South Korean news agency noted.
The missile, presumably fired by North Korea, fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, the Japanese news agency reported, citing a government source.
The source also said that no damage to Japan was detected from the launch.
Japan's Maritime Safety Service earlier confirmed that North Korea had presumably launched a ballistic missile. Six minutes later, the service issued a message that the missile had already fallen and called on ships to report any fragments they found but not to approach them.
The South Korean military has intensified observation and control as part of preparations for possible further launches, closely exchanging information about the North Korean ballistic missiles with the US and Japan and maintaining a state of full combat readiness, media reported, citing a JCS statement.