Japan to Continue Efforts to Deter North Korean Missile Threat

Japan will further promore its efforts to constrain possible nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Japan will continue its efforts to curb the nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday, a day after the latest test missile launch by Pyongyang.

On Monday, North Korea launched five short-range missiles, which landed in the Sea of Japan. Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea’s state media reported that Monday’s test was the latest before the country's capabilities being brought to combat readiness.

"Japan will continue to coordinate efforts with the concerned countries to urge North Korea to exercise restraint and to implement UN Security Council resolutions," Kishida told reporters.

According to the minister, "it is necessary to take all possible measures to respond to any potential situation [caused by Pyongyang]."

On Friday, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani ordered the country's defense forces to intercept any missiles entering its territory.

The leaders of the United States, Japan and South Korea are planning to meet in Washington on March 31 to enhance trilateral cooperation in the face of North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests. In January, Pyongyang said it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.