Japan PM Kishida says North Korean missile fell in exclusive economic waters

Fumio Kishida called the launch "absolutely unacceptable", saying there had been no reports of damage to ships or aircraft.

A suspected intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Friday is believed to have fallen in Japan's exclusive economic waters, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.

Kishida called the launch "absolutely unacceptable", saying there had been no reports of damage to ships or aircraft.

"The ballistic missile launched by North Korea is believed to have landed in our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) west of Hokkaido," Kishida told reporters in Bangkok, where he is attending a regional summit.

The EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from Japan's coastline, beyond the limits of its territorial waters. The Japanese defence ministry had earlier said the missile was "ICBM-class".

It was North Korea's second launch in two days, as the isolated state continues a record-breaking blitz that has sent fears of a nuclear test soaring.

"We made a stern protest to North Korea. They're repeating provocative actions with unprecedented frequency. We strongly state again that this is absolutely unacceptable," Kishida said.

"Japan, the US and South Korea must coordinate closely to work toward the complete denuclearisation of North Korea," he added.