Japan takes N. Korea's missile launch calmly, but watching carefully+

TOKYO, July 3 Kyodo -
The Japanese government responded calmly Friday to North Korea's missile
test-firing the previous day, but warned Japan would take action if the
situation threatened its security.

''I don't see that (the missile launch) has caused a serious problem at this
point...but we will closely watch the situation and take all necessary measures
(to protect the Japanese people) if the situation threatens the nation's
security,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said at a news conference.
On Thursday night, North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles off its
east coast into the Sea of Japan, the South Korean Defense Ministry and
military officials said.
Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone viewed Pyongyang's fresh missile test-firing
as ''a problem,'' noting that it could lead to the development of ballistic
missiles.
Thursday's missile tests took place within a month of the U.N. Security Council
adopting a resolution in mid-June urging member states to impose fresh
sanctions on the North.
On the prospect of North Korea's firing mid- to long-range missiles, Kawamura
said the Japanese government will try to gather information and take all
possible steps to ensure Japan's safety.
But the government's top spokesman added, ''We have not ruled out the
possibility of the North's launching (mid- to long-range missiles), but it is
not a situation we can predict.''
==Kyodo