Sep 16 (NHK) - Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has suggested that North Korea's latest missile launch was likely linked to its earlier threat to aim at waters off Guam.
The ballistic missile North Korea fired on Friday morning is estimated to have flown about 3,700 kilometers.
Onodera told reporters on Friday that the launch showed that the missile could have reached Guam, which is about 3,400 kilometers from the country.
Onodera said he believes Pyongyang had the US Pacific territory in mind, given its past statements. In August, North Korea said it was planning to fire ballistic missiles toward waters off the island.
Onodera said Japan's Self-Defense Forces did not try to shoot down the missile, as such action was deemed unnecessary. He said interception only takes place when a missile is projected to hit Japan's territorial waters or land.
