Japan Coast Guard or international news sources

Japan Issues J-Alert for Okinawa After North Korean Missile Launch

May 27, 2024, 01:55 PM

The Japanese government has issued an emergency J-Alert following the launch of a suspected ballistic missile by North Korea. The missile was reportedly fired towards Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, prompting authorities to urge residents to take immediate shelter. The Japan Coast Guard confirmed the launch, and an explosion was seen in the sky shortly after. The J-Alert system, Japan's emergency broadcasting system, was activated to warn residents of the potential threat. However, it was later reported that the missile is not expected to fly towards Japanese territory, and the J-Alert has been canceled. The explosion occurred near the North Korea-China border, indicating a possible malfunction of the missile shortly after takeoff. There were also reports suggesting the possibility of a satellite launch.