(Reuters)1. JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, TOSHIRO INO, WALKING TO PODIUM 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, TOSHIRO INO, SAYING: “North Korea launched two ballistic missiles at around 11:00 today. Details are currently being analysed, but both missiles fell in the Sea of Japan east of the Korean Peninsula, outside Japan’s economic exclusion zone.” 4. WHITE FLASH 5.(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, TOSHIRO INO, SAYING: “The first one was fired around 11:11 a.m. from near the western coast of North Korea towards the east, and flew about 500 km at a maximum altitude of about 550 km. The second missile was fired around 11:52 a.m. from near the western coast of North Korea toward the east, and flew about 500 km at a maximum altitude of about 550 km.” 6. WHITE FLASH 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, TOSHIRO INO, SAYING: “We have not received any reports of damage as of now. Next, regarding the trajectory, we have confirmed that it was not an irregular trajectory, but rather the usual trajectory that flies on a parabolic trajectory.” 8. WHITE FLASH 9. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE VICE MINISTER OF DEFENCE, TOSHIRO INO, SAYING: “Since the beginning of this year, North Korea has repeatedly launched missiles at an unprecedented frequency, significantly increasing tensions in the Korean Peninsula and in the region. North Korea’s series of rapidly escalating provocations threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, and must not be tolerated. It violates the (United Nation’s) relevant Security Council resolutions, and Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea through our embassy in Beijing and strongly condemned their actions.” 10. WHITE FLASH 11. INO BOWING AND LEAVING TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE – MAY 30, 2022) (REUTERS – Access all) 12. EXTERIOR OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 13. RADIO TOWER AT MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 14. SECURITY GUARDS AT ENTRANCE OF MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 15. SIGN READING (Japanese): “MINISTRY OF DEFENCE” STORY: Japan lodged a strong protest after North Korea launched two ballistic missiles eastwards on Sunday (December 18), the country’s Vice Defence Minister, Toshiro Ino, told reporters in Tokyo. Ino said the two ballistic missiles were launched eastwards from near the western coast of North Korea within the same hour starting 11:00a.m. (0200GMT), both flying around 500 kilometres at a maximum altitude of about 550 kilometres. The missiles flew on a parabolic trajectory, and no damages have been reported. “North Korea’s series of rapidly escalating provocations threatens the peace and security of Japan, the region, and the international community, and must not be tolerated… Japan has lodged a strong protest with North Korea through our embassy in Beijing and strongly condemned their actions,” Ino said. North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions. In November, North Korea test-fired an ICMB that Japanese officials said had sufficient range to reach the mainland of the United States and that landed just 200 kms (130 miles) off Japan.
Japan protests North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launches
