The Japanese government believes that North Korea may go for nuclear testing or other provocations, Cabinet Secretary General Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference.
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“We know that North Korea is outraged by the military exercises of the United States and South Korea. The Japanese government believes that North Korea may go for other provocations, including nuclear testing. I would like to refrain from commenting on further actions by North Korea, the government strongly intends to protect the life and peaceful existence of citizens and will collect and analyze information while remaining vigilant,” Matsuno said.
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Earlier it was reported that North Korea could test nuclear weapons until November 8.
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On Wednesday and Thursday, North Korea conducted missile launches twice a day. On Thursday morning, three rockets were fired, one of which was believed to be an intercontinental one. In Japan, an air alert was announced due to the risk that the missile would fly over the territory of the country.
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However, this did not happen, and the rocket probably fell before reaching the territory of Japan. At the same time, as it turned out later, the air raid alert was announced after the estimated flight time through the northern regions of the country, that is, when it would have been too late to defend against the alleged danger. The situation for the population was aggravated by the fact that on Thursday there was a day off in Japan in connection with the Day of Culture celebrated at the state level.
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Since September 25, Pyongyang has already conducted eleven missile tests, including a medium-range ballistic missile of the Hwaseong-12 type, which flew over Japan, breaking a record 4,500 kilometers for the DPRK, and flying at a height of 1,000 kilometers. Also in recent weeks, a number of artillery firings, exercises of the Air Force and tactical nuclear units have been held. Since the beginning of the year, the DPRK has conducted 30 missile launches.
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The DPRK says that all military activity is a response to “provocations” from South Korea, which has recently been conducting active military exercises, both independently and jointly with the United States and Japan.
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In particular, three rocket launches on Thursday evening and artillery fire on Friday night were a reaction to the decisions of Seoul and Washington to extend the joint military exercises, which were supposed to end on November 4.
