Overview
- The Japan Maritime Safety Agency issued two notices at 7:57 a.m. and 8:08 a.m. local time warning of a possible launch.
- Japan’s Defense Ministry assessed that an object launched from North Korea, possibly a ballistic missile, likely had already fallen.
- South Korea’s Yonhap, citing the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan/East Sea, the first reported launch of 2026.
- Maritime authorities advised vessels to follow updates, avoid any suspected debris, and report findings to the Japan Coast Guard.
- Japan’s maritime and defense agencies said monitoring is ongoing and further information will be shared through official notices carried by media.