The following is the gist of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga’s news conference on North Korea’s missile launch on April 29:

At around 5:30 a.m. on April 29, North Korea launched a ballistic missile in the northeastern direction from Pukchang in the interior of the country. The missile is estimated to have fallen at a spot in the country’s interior after flying for around 50 kilometers. Experts are conducting analysis (on the type of missile and other details) based on various available information.

This missile launch violates UN Security Council resolutions. Japan immediately lodged a strong protest through its embassy in Beijing. North Korea’s repeated provocations are absolutely unacceptable.

Japan and the U.S. are engaged in a close exchange of views and are coordinating their policies. It is extremely important to secure the U.S.’s deterrence. The Japanese government appreciates the U.S.’s posture of “putting all options on the table.”

Japan, together with the U.S. and the ROK, strongly demands that North Korea exercise restraint. It will also cooperate with China and Russia, which exercise influence over North Korea. Along with these diplomatic efforts, the government will take all possible precautions.

The decision (to suspend train services in light of reports on the missile launch) was made by the train companies. The government will provide all necessary information, so we ask the people to remain calm.