N. Korea's missile firing 'provocative act': Aso+

TOKYO, July 2 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Taro Aso condemned on Thursday the latest test-firings of
missiles by North Korea as a ''provocative act.''
''We have often warned that such a provocative act is not beneficial for North
Korea's national interest,'' Aso told reporters, adding it is difficult to
understand what kind of message the North wants to send with its latest missile
launches.
Media reports said Pyongyang test-fired what appears to be short-range missiles
off its east coast on Thursday. Aso declined to comment on any details about
the test-firings, citing intelligence reasons.
Hours earlier, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura indicated that Tokyo is
bracing for a missile launch by the reclusive country, possibly on the U.S.
Independence Day on Saturday.
''The Japanese government cannot rule out'' such a possibility considering the
past development, Kawamura said amid speculation Pyongyang is preparing to
launch a longer-range ballistic missile.
==Kyodo