On the morning of Monday, October 12, the Defense Ministry announced that North Korea had fired at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan (NHK, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Jiji Press). South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch took place at around 9:20 a.m. and that several ballistic missiles were fired from near Pyongyang toward the sea to the east (The Straits Times, CNA). According to the Nikkei, the first missile was launched at around 9:19 a.m., reaching a maximum altitude of about 20 km and flying about 220 km. The second, at around 9:36 a.m., reached a maximum altitude of about 70 km and flew more than 910 km. The Defense Ministry estimates that both fell outside Japan's EEZ, and NHK reported that no entry into the EEZ has been confirmed. TV Asahi reported that there was no report of damage. The Mainichi Shimbun said some may have flown an irregular trajectory and that the prime minister ordered full readiness. The Japan Times reported that at least two missiles are believed to have fallen in the sea outside the EEZ. South Korea's military said the flight distance exceeded 900 km, and South Korea's National Security Council held an emergency meeting (FinancialJuice). Japan's Coast Guard issued a navigational warning about possible falling objects (FinancialJuice).
Ballistic missiles land in the sea near Japan in a short time. An irregular trajectory is a flight pattern said to make interception harder, so whether this one really flew that way is an important defense question. This is said to be the fourth launch this month, with short intervals between launches (GMA News). Between North and South Korea, tensions are rising, with a South Korean hypersonic missile test and warnings over the border continuing.
This is not something that changes daily life right away. Still, it is worth knowing how to check government alerts at the time of a launch, and rail and air service information. In Tokyo's market, which reopens on the 13th, defense-related stocks and the yen may react.
Launches keep being repeated, so it is only natural for Japan, the U.S. and South Korea to share information, stay vigilant and protest through diplomatic channels. The EU's new sanctions are also a way to cut off the flow of technology.
Even as sanctions and protests pile up, the launches have not stopped. Some argue that vigilance alone, without looking for an opening for dialogue, will not lower tensions.
Today's number is “over 910 km.” That is the second missile's flight distance, about four times the first. There are three things to watch: how the Defense Ministry analyzes the second missile's model and irregular trajectory, whether North Korea goes on to further launches or provocations, and the reaction in Tokyo's market, which reopens on the 13th. The count of “11th” shows that launches are becoming routine rather than the exception.
NHK · Mainichi Shimbun · Asahi Shimbun · Jiji Press · Nikkei · TV Asahi · The Japan Times · The Straits Times · CNA · GMA News · Mint · Chosun Ilbo Japanese edition (Oct. 12. Launch times and distances from the Nikkei, the fall outside the EEZ from NHK and the Mainichi Shimbun, EU sanctions from the Chosun Ilbo. The protest through Beijing and the 11th launch are from the Nikkei only)
North Korea Fires at Least 2 Ballistic Missiles Into the Sea of Japan; Defense Ministry Says They Fell Outside the EEZ, Some May Have Flown an Irregular Trajectory
Both are estimated to have fallen outside Japan's EEZ, and there is no report of damage. It is said to be the 11th launch of 2026, and the prime minister ordered full readiness. Tokyo's market reopens on the 13th.
On the morning of the 12th, the Defense Ministry announced that North Korea had fired at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan (NHK, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun). In its first report, the ministry said it was gathering information on whether Japan was affected (NHK). According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the launch took place at around 9:20 a.m. from near Pyongyang toward the sea east of the Korean Peninsula (The Straits Times, CNA). The Nikkei reported that the first missile was launched at around 9:19 a.m., reaching a maximum altitude of about 20 km and flying about 220 km, while the second, at around 9:36 a.m., reached a maximum altitude of about 70 km and flew more than 910 km. The flight distances differ by a factor of about four, so the two flew very differently. The Defense Ministry estimates that both fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NHK reported that no entry into the EEZ has been confirmed, and TV Asahi said there was no report of damage. The Mainichi Shimbun said some may have flown an irregular trajectory, and reported that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered full readiness in gathering information and staying vigilant. Jiji Press, citing South Korea's military, reported that several ballistic missiles were fired. The gap with the number the Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed has not yet been resolved. The Nikkei also reported that the government protested to North Korea through the embassy channel in Beijing, but no other outlet has confirmed this.
This is said to be the 11th launch of 2026 (reported by the Nikkei as the Defense Ministry's announcement). GMA News reported that it was the fourth this month, and came a few days after South Korea tested a hypersonic missile. Mint reported that it also came a few days after North Korea warned South Korea that it would retaliate if its territory were violated. Meanwhile, on the 12th the EU added three individuals and four entities, including North Korean missile engineers, to its own sanctions list (Chosun Ilbo Japanese edition). Launches of ballistic missiles are prohibited for North Korea by UN Security Council resolutions. But the model of the second missile, the details of the irregular trajectory and the purpose of the launch have not yet been confirmed. Tokyo's market was closed on the 12th for Sports Day, so any reaction in stocks and the yen will come after it reopens on the 13th. The Japanese government's response will be tested on cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and South Korea, and on how effective a protest routed through China can be.