North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan early on Tuesday morning, the Japanese Ministry of Defense said.
South Korea and the U.S. conducted a joint strike package flight and precision bombing drill in response the ballistic missile test, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff told ABC news.
The Japanese government issued a “J-alert” through its emergency warning system, advising residents to take cover in sturdy buildings or underground.
A government spokesperson said Japan didn’t attempt to shoot the missile down because they didn’t think it posed a threat.
A U.S. defense official confirmed the launch to ABC News.
Residents in Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures, toward the northern end of Japan, were advised to be on alert and to notify police or fire officials if debris is seen.
People were also warned by officials not to touch or pick up any debris.
The office of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida began to gather members to analyze the situation.
A government spokesperson said no damage has been reported so far and a search is underway for debris. Officials are gathering information and will work with South Korea and the U.S.
"North Korea's actions threaten Japan and the international community," the spokesperson said. "Missile launches like this go against the U.N. resolutions. Japan will launch a strong protest against North Korea in light of this. All new information will be shared promptly."
The White House said in a statement late Monday local time in Washington, D.C., that "the United States strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) dangerous and reckless decision to launch a long-range ballistic missile over Japan."
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts on Monday night local time, according to White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
"In both calls, the National Security Advisors consulted on appropriate and robust joint and international responses," Watson said, "and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reinforced the United States' ironclad commitments to the defense of Japan and the ROK [South Korea]."
The last time a missile flew over Japan was in August 2017. This year alone, North Korea has shot 21 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles.
ABC News' Joohee Cho, Guy Davies, Anthony Trotter and Matt Seyler contributed to this report.
