North Korea’s latest provocative missile launch triggered alarms in Japan as the weapon soared overhead.
“Missile launch! Missile launch!” an alert sent out early Tuesday morning said, “Take cover and evacuate to a hardened structure or underground facility.” The people of northern Japan woke to this terrifying warning as a North Korean ballistic missile passed over the island nation. The trajectory of the missile initially indicated that the missile might be headed for Japan.
Sirens blared as millions of Japanese people received text messages and push notifications warning them to take shelter.
North Korea launched a ballistic missile over northern Japan early Tuesday morning, significantly escalating tensions in the region. The missile was over Japan for roughly two minutes. North Korea has fired satellite launch vehicles over Japan in the past, but Tuesday’s launch was a very different type of test, as the North fired a ballistic missile.
In multiple locations, Japan halted train services, encouraging people to take cover in the subway stations or in the trains. Others were caught out in the open, with nowhere to hide.
North Korea’s repeated missile launches have caused concern in Japan, the only country to ever be on the receiving end of a nuclear blast. In response to the growing threat from North Korea, Japan has been organizing regular emergency drills, and sales of fallout shelters, gas masks, and other emergency supplies are on the rise.
Tuesday’s missile launch over Hokkaido came as Japan deployed new PAC-3 interceptors.
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