North Korea launches object suspected to be a ballistic missile; falls outside Japan's EEZ

[Financial News Tokyo—Seo Hye-jin, correspondent] North Korea launched an object suspected to be a ballistic missile on the 20th, Japanese media outlets including Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported. The missile appears to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that North Korea launched an object that could be a ballistic missile at around 3:03 p.m. that day and that the object was presumed to have already fallen.
According to Japanese government and Ministry of Defense officials, the missile appears to have fallen outside Japan's EEZ. The Japanese government is collecting information to determine whether the launch had any impact on Japan.
The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) said that, as of 3:30 p.m. that day, no damage to vessels had been confirmed. It urged vessels underway to remain alert for further information.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed officials to collect and analyze information and provide the public with prompt and accurate updates; confirm the safety of aircraft and vessels; and establish a thorough response posture in preparation for any contingency.
It had been one month since Japan's Ministry of Defense last announced the launch of a North Korean ballistic missile or an object suspected to be one. This was the ninth such launch this year.

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