View of Tokyo. File photoTOKYO, Jan 30 Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida convenes a meeting of the National Security Council following an alleged North Korean missile launch, the Kyodo news agency said, citing government sources. The Japan Coast Guard issued a warning Sunday morning of possible launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea. The Japanese Ministry of Defense also announced a possible launch. Vessels at sea have been advised to exercise caution and stay away from suspicious objects if they are spotted. After some time, a message about a possible projectile drop appeared.The United States and South Korea discussed the latest missile launches by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in connection with the alleged missile tests, a crisis headquarters has been created at the office of the Prime Minister of Japan. According to NHK, Kishida «instructed the responsible departments to act in three areas: conduct a detailed analysis of the situation, including the security of air and sea transport, inform people in detail and in a timely manner, and take all necessary measures in case of unforeseen circumstances.» Later Hirokazu Matsuno, secretary general of the Japanese government, said that although the exact characteristics of the missile are still being analyzed, «it is assumed, based on standard ballistic missile performance, that the projectile flew about 800 kilometers, reaching a maximum flight altitude of 2 thousand kilometers, and the flight time was about 30 minutes.» In connection with the proposed missile launch, the Japanese government expressed «strong protest,» the Secretary General of the Cabinet added. If the information about the launch is confirmed, this will be Pyongyang's seventh weapons test since the beginning of the year. Prior to this, on January 5 and 11, North Korea tested missiles that it called hypersonic, on the 14th two short-range ballistic missiles were launched from a railway missile system, on the 17th North Korea tested two short-range tactical guided missiles, on January 25 — cruise missiles, and on January 27, a tactical surface-to-surface guided missile. «
