Latest N. Korean Missiles Pose No Impact on Japan: Official

Tokyo, June 8 (Jiji Press)--Missiles fired by North Korea Thursday morning have posed no impact on Japan's national security, a senior Japanese government official said. The missiles fell in an area far from Japan's exclusive economic zone, the official told reporters. The government believes that the projectiles were short-range land-to-ship missiles. The government did not hold an emergency meeting of key officials at the prime minister's office Thursday morning as it saw no immediate threat from the missiles, sources familiar with the situation said. On Wednesday, the government became aware of signs of an imminent missile firing by North Korea and started preparations. As part of the preparations, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who usually commutes from his private home, stayed the night at his official residence, the sources said. Soon after Thursday's launch, the government concluded that the level of threat from the missiles is low. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga showed up at the prime minister's office almost as scheduled. He did not hold an emergency press conference. The South Korean military said the missiles, fired toward the Sea of Japan, are believed to have flown some 200 kilometers. END