TOKYO, (AFP) - Japan believes suspected North Korean moves to test-fire a missile are part of routine military drills and pose no imminent threat, the top government spokesman said.
"We believe the moves are something like drills," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a news conference while noting the nation nevertheless "needs to be on constant alert for defence purposes."
His comment came a day after South Korean military officials said data collected jointly with US satellites and spy planes suggested North Korea may be preparing to test-fire a missile capable of hitting most areas in Japan.
The detection of activity put Japan on alert, with a task force immediately set up at the prime minister's office to collect more information.
Other South Korean officials, however, suggested the Stalinist state appeared to be conducting routine military drills at an undisclosed missile base.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said late Thursday that the likelihood of an actual launch "seems low."
Hosoda also noted Friday the moves were still "unfavourable," given Pyongyang had promised a moratorium on missile launches at a joint declaration with Tokyo after a landmark bilateral summit in September 2002.
Japan would ask about North Korea's intentions at bilateral talks planned this weekend in Beijing over the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang spy agents, Hosoda said.
Trade, Economy and Industry Minister Shoichi Nakagawa meanwhile told reporters that the moves "apparently violate" the Japan-North Korea declaration.
"It is fine that they like to be the center of attention but my honest opinion is that they should calm down," he said.
Pyongyang stunned the world in August 1998 by test-launching over Japan a Taepodong-1 missile with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, claiming it was a satellite launch.