TOKYO (Sputnik) — Earlier, Japanese media reported citing government sources about alleged Pyongyang's preparations for the test launch to be carried out next week.
"The government [of Japan] will continue to work closely with the United States, South Korea and other countries and calls on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions and to respect the provisions of UN Security Council resolutions and the joint statement of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program," Hagiuda told reporters.
He added that the National Security Council of the country would hold later in the day a meeting to discuss the potential test fire.
Tensions around North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after on January 6, Pyongyang said it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test which triggered a wave of condemnation from the international community.