According to CNN, this is the 23rd North Korean missile launch so far this year. North Korea has conducted both ballistic and cruise missile tests throughout the year. This is not the first time this year that a North Korea has fired a missile toward Japan, but this missile’s flight path over the country does pose a higher risk of deadly miscalculations that could set off a broader conflict between the two countries.
New York Times Tokyo Bureau Chief Motoko Rich tweeted, “North Korea has launched 23 missiles this year but this morning one flew over Japan, triggering warnings in Hokkaido and Aomori for residents to seek shelter. MoD says it has landed in Pacific Ocean. First time such warnings were issued since 2017.”