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North Korea launches missile which may have landed within 200 miles off coast of Japan, says Shinzo Abe North Korea launches 'ICBM' which may have landed within 200 miles of Japan coast
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has fired a missile which may have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. North Korea has fired an an intercontinental ballistic missile which may have landed in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The zone reaches 200 nautical miles from the country's coast.  The zone reaches 200 nautical miles from the country's coast. Mr Abe has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. 
Mr Abe has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council. 
"I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Mr Abe said. "We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people." "I have received information that North Korea once again conducted a missile firing," Mr Abe said. "We will immediately analyze information and do our utmost to protect the safety of the Japanese people." 
He called on the US, South Korea, Russia and China to increase pressure on the secretive state over its missile launches, which have defied international rulings. He called on the US, South Korea, Russia and China to increase pressure on the secretive state over its missile launches, which have defied international rulings. 
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan "absolutely cannot tolerate" repeated provocations from North Korea, also known as the DPRK. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Japan "absolutely cannot tolerate" repeated provocations from North Korea, also known as the DPRK. 
Soon after reports of the launch emerged from Japan, the Pentagon and South Korean military officials confirmed they detected a ballistic missile launch from North Korea. Soon after reports of the launch emerged from Japan, the Pentagon and South Korean military officials confirmed they detected a ballistic missile launch from North Korea. 
It was not immediately clear what type of weapon was used, where it landed, and how far into the EEZ. On Friday evening, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said: "The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today. We assess that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, as had been expected. 
It flew for around 45 minutes and landed in the seas between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, according to Japanese government officials.  "The missile was launched from Mupyong-ni and travelled about 1,000km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment. 
Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis said the lengthily flight time meant the missile was likely a long range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), potentially capable of travelling 10,000km and hitting a target in the US.  "The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America.
"Our commitment to the defence of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We are prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation."
Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis said the lengthy flight time meant the missile was likely a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), potentially capable of travelling 10,000km and hitting a target in the US. 
According to Yonhap news agency, South Korean military officials said the missile was launched from Jagang Province, in the north of the DPRK. According to Yonhap news agency, South Korean military officials said the missile was launched from Jagang Province, in the north of the DPRK. 
South Korea has also called a national security meeting. South Korea has also called a national security meeting. 
The night time launch of the ICBM was unusual, as most take place around dawn. Dr. John Nilsson-Wright, senior research fellow on Chatham House's Asia programme, told The Independent this could have been to demonstrate the military was capable of launching in varying conditions. 
Alternatively, Dr Nilsson-Wright said, "maybe the element of surprise is part of the reason why they wanted to do this".
He added: "I think they've shown that they have the capability, the increased technical sophistication, and I think there will be a lot of anxiety in Seoul and Tokyo."  
It comes just one day after the 64th anniversary of the end of the Korean War -- known as Victory Day in the North. It comes just one day after the 64th anniversary of the end of the Korean War -- known as Victory Day in the North. 
Intelligence officials in both the US and South Korea feared the DPRK could launch a missile to mark the event. Intelligence officials in both the US and South Korea feared the DPRK could launch a missile to mark the event. 
North Korea fired what was believed to be its first ICBM earlier this month.  North Korea fired what was believed to be its first ICBM earlier this month. 
North Korea, led by unpredictable ruler Kim Jong-un, has fired missiles into the EEZ several times before.North Korea, led by unpredictable ruler Kim Jong-un, has fired missiles into the EEZ several times before.
International tensions have been mounting over the nuclear ambitions of North Korea in recent months, and Donald Trump has threatened to "take care" of the unstable situation. International tensions have been mounting over the nuclear ambitions of North Korea in recent months, and Donald Trump has threatened to "take care" of the unstable situation. 
Just yesterday, a senior US military official warned the DPRK’s weapons technology was improving faster than expected. Just yesterday, a senior US military official warned the DPRK’s weapons technology was improving faster than expected. 
"North Korea is extremely dangerous and more dangerous as the weeks go by,” said General Mark Milley, chief of staff of the Army. "North Korea is extremely dangerous and more dangerous as the weeks go by,” said General Mark Milley, chief of staff of the Army.