Japan issues emergency alert after North Korea launches suspected ballistic missile

The launch was also confirmed by South Korea, whose military said North Korea had fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea.

Japan on Sunday, September 20, 2026, issued an emergency alert after North Korea launched a suspected ballistic missile from its eastern coast.

The Japanese Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the launch and issued three directives to government agencies to ensure public safety and maintain readiness.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the missile was launched at about 3:00 p.m. local time from an area near North Korea’s east coast. It flew approximately 440 kilometres at a maximum altitude of about 60 kilometres before falling into the Sea of Japan outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). No damage had been reported.

The Prime Minister directed authorities to: “Make maximum efforts to gather and analyse information and provide the public with timely and accurate updates.

“Thoroughly confirm the safety of aircraft, vessels and other assets operating in the area.

“Take all possible precautionary measures and maintain full readiness for contingencies.”

Japan’s government also activated its crisis-management arrangements, with relevant agencies coordinating information and response measures. The Defence Ministry ordered continued close surveillance and intelligence gathering in cooperation with the United States and South Korea.

The launch was also confirmed by South Korea, whose military said North Korea had fired a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea.

The latest launch comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula following recent North Korean missile tests and military exercises involving the United States, South Korea and Japan. Reuters later reported that a second short-range ballistic missile was launched from the same general area on Sunday.