North Korea fires ballistic missile toward Sea of Japan

From Kyodo

November 7 2025

SEOUL/TOKYO – North Korea launched a ballistic missile Friday that apparently fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, the Japanese government said, warning of the possibility of further provocations from Pyongyang.

The missile, the second of its kind to be launched since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office on Oct. 21, was fired at around 12:34 p.m. eastward from North Korea’s west coast and flew more than 450 kilometers at an altitude of up to 50 km, the Defense Ministry said.

No damage to planes or ships has been reported so far, with Takaichi telling reporters she has instructed relevant government agencies to swiftly provide necessary information to the public and ensure safety across the country.

Friday’s launch came a day after Pyongyang denounced the latest U.S. sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities over cybercrime-related money laundering.

Japan lodged a stern protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels at its embassy in Beijing, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a regular press conference. Japan does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea.

Referring to the repeated missile launches, including the previous one on Oct. 22, Kihara criticized Pyongyang’s actions as “totally unacceptable,” saying they “threaten the peace and safety of our nation, the region and the international community.”

“We believe there is a possibility that North Korea will carry out further provocations, including various types of missile firings, satellite launches or even a nuclear test,” he said, emphasizing that Japan will remain vigilant while closely working with the United States and South Korea.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi pledged to continue efforts to strengthen Japan’s security capabilities, saying the government, which has expressed its intention to increase defense spending, will consider necessary measures “without excluding any options.”