TOKYO — North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday, in its first known weapons test of 2026. Japanese officials quickly criticised the launch, warning it adds to the strain in the region as worries grow over Pyongyang’s expanding missile programme.
Japan’s Defence Ministry said the missiles fell outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Even so, the launch raised alarm, partly because officials believe the missiles followed unusual flight paths.
Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi spoke to BBC reporters in Tokyo, calling the test a serious threat to Japan, nearby countries, and the wider international community. The missiles were launched from an area near Pyongyang at about 7:50 a.m. local time. They travelled roughly 900 and 950 kilometres, reaching heights of up to about 50 kilometres.
Some analysts said the odd trajectories may point to tests aimed at avoiding interception. If true, that could make it harder for systems such as Japan’s Patriot units and US Aegis-equipped platforms in the region to track and stop them.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff also confirmed the launch, saying it came from the capital area and flew east. The US Indo-Pacific Command monitored the activity as well. It said there was no immediate danger to US personnel or territory, but the event shows why close monitoring remains necessary.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called an emergency meeting of Japan’s National Security Council. Officials again pushed for tougher international sanctions and stronger coordination between Japan, the United States, and South Korea.
Missile details and what they could mean
Early Defence Ministry findings suggest the projectiles were short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. They may be linked to the KN-23 or KN-24 family, which are known for solid fuel and the ability to manoeuvre.
A peak altitude of around 50 kilometres also points to a depressed trajectory. That kind of flight keeps the missile lower than a typical high-arching launch, shortening warning time and making radar tracking more difficult. North Korea has used similar tactics before, often in ways designed to challenge regional missile defences.
Specialists also believe the launches could support work on hypersonic systems or manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles. These designs can adjust course during flight, which can reduce the chances of interception.
“The distances involved put much of Japan’s southern island chain within reach, including Okinawa, where major US bases are located,” said Prof. Akira Sato, a security analyst at the University of Tokyo. “This goes beyond simple signalling. It shows steady changes in capability and should lead to a fresh look at defence planning.”
The missiles landed in international waters east of Japan. They did not enter the EEZ, which stretches 200 nautical miles from the coast. There were no reports of injuries or damage, but authorities sent alerts to vessels operating in the area.
The Japan Coast Guard increased patrols in the Sea of Japan to watch for debris and any unusual activity.
A familiar pattern with North Korea
Sunday’s launch fits a long-running pattern, with North Korea often firing missiles towards the Sea of Japan. Many of these tests are seen as messages during stalled diplomacy, and they have triggered repeated criticism from other governments.
North Korea has carried out dozens of launches since the early 2000s. In 2006, it fired several short-range missiles into the sea, timed with US Independence Day, drawing a strong reaction at the United Nations.
Tests increased sharply in 2017 under Kim Jong Un. In March that year, North Korea launched four ballistic missiles at once. Three landed inside Japan’s EEZ, and then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it a new stage of threat. Later, in August and September, intermediate-range Hwasong-12 missiles flew over Japan, prompting J-Alert warnings and shelter advice, including for residents in Hokkaido.
In 2022, a test over Japan showed a range linked to Guam, raising fears about a wider threat across the Pacific.
During 2025, North Korea stepped up activity with more than 30 launches. These included hypersonic glide vehicles and cruise missiles. On 14 January 2025, several short-range ballistic missiles flew about 150 miles into the Sea of Japan.
Cruise missile tests followed in February and March during US-South Korea military drills. In May, multiple short-range missiles launched from Wonsan flew around 800 kilometres east. In November, another ballistic missile launch from Taegwan County travelled about 435 miles.
Many observers believe Kim uses these tests to strengthen his position at home, answer allied drills, and bargain from a stronger stance. Several launches in 2025 came close to key political moments, including Workers’ Party meetings, where Kim praised progress on “strategic” weapons, a phrase widely understood to mean nuclear-capable systems.
Regional reactions and diplomatic strain
After the launches, Japan filed a formal protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing. Tokyo urged China, North Korea’s main supporter, to rein in Pyongyang.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, travelling to a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, said Beijing should play a constructive role in denuclearisation. Many analysts remain doubtful about how much influence China will exert, especially after it and Russia have vetoed stronger UN sanctions in the past.
The US State Department condemned the tests as breaches of multiple UN Security Council resolutions and called for talks to restart. Negotiations have stayed frozen since the 2019 Hanoi summit between Kim and former President Donald Trump, and there are few signs of change.
North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency had not commented on Sunday’s launch at the time of reporting. It did report that Kim visited a weapons factory on Saturday and ordered a 2.5-fold rise in production capacity.
Analysts warned that the lack of progress in talks could lead to more tests. Sato said Pyongyang appears to be measuring the resolve of the incoming US administration and its partners. Japan is also moving ahead with plans for counterstrike capabilities, including Tomahawk missiles, in line with its 2022 National Security Strategy.
The wider picture
The timing also comes during wider global uncertainty, including the recent US operation in Venezuela that removed Nicolás Maduro. Some observers believe that the event could reinforce Kim’s drive to keep nuclear deterrence.
North Korea has also strengthened ties with Russia during the war in Ukraine. Reports have said Pyongyang has supplied artillery shells in return for technical help, which could speed up parts of its missile work.
Japan remains on alert. The Self-Defense Forces have increased radar monitoring and carried out joint drills with US forces. Public concern remains high, and it has added to calls for stronger defence. A poll by The Japan Times last month found 68% of respondents backed raising military spending to 2% of GDP.
No immediate escalation is expected, but Sunday’s test is another reminder of how unstable security can be in North-East Asia. International efforts still centre on dialogue, yet as North Korea’s arsenal becomes more advanced, the space for easy solutions looks smaller.
