Japan has lodged a strong protest against North Korea after Pyongyang fired at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan. Japanese officials said the missiles were estimated to have fallen near North Korea’s east coast, with no immediate reports of damage or missiles entering Japan’s territory or exclusive economic zone.

Japan has lodged a strong diplomatic protest against North Korea following the launch of at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, raising fresh concerns over regional security.

Japan’s State Minister of Defense, Takashi Koyari, said the missiles were estimated to have fallen near North Korea’s east coast. Authorities reported no confirmed indications that the projectiles had entered Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone.

There were also no confirmed reports of damage to aircraft or maritime vessels following the launches.

The incident comes amid longstanding tensions over North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes, which Japan regards as a serious threat to its national security. Tokyo has repeatedly condemned Pyongyang’s ballistic missile tests, describing them as violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Japan continues to monitor North Korea’s military activities in coordination with its security partners, including the United States and South Korea. The three countries have strengthened cooperation in recent years in response to North Korea’s advancing weapons capabilities.

North Korea has continued developing and testing ballistic missiles of different ranges, despite international sanctions and calls to halt activities considered destabilising to the region.

Japan’s latest protest underscores ongoing concerns about the potential risks posed by missile launches in the Sea of Japan and the wider Northeast Asian region. Further assessments of the launch and its implications for regional security are expected as authorities continue monitoring developments.