Japan warned the population of the Okinawa region on Monday about a possible North Korean missile launch.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said: “It appears that a missile has been fired from North Korea. Please seek shelter in a building or underground.”

However, within 30 minutes the order was cancelled.

A later statement said: “The missile is not expected to reach Japan. Evacuation call lifted.”

Kim's North Korea tests ballistic missiles
This photo released on May 18 by North Korea’s official Korean News Agency shows a test launch of a ballistic missile the previous day. KCNA said the launch confirmed the missile’s “accuracy and reliability.”


KCNA