The Japanese government judged that North Korea's launch of a military reconnaissance satellite had failed and predicted that additional launches were possible.
Japanese government spokesman Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference, "According to information sharing between Korea, the United States and Japan, North Korea yesterday pushed ahead with a launch using ballistic missile technology for the purpose of launching a satellite," and added, "A few minutes after launch, it disappeared over the West Sea and disappeared into space. “It is presumed that no object was put into the space,” he said.
He added, “Considering comprehensively the information obtained so far, we recognize that yesterday’s launch was a failure.”
Minister Hayashi said, "North Korea is likely to push ahead with satellite launches in the future," and added, "We will work closely with the United States and South Korea to collect and analyze information and do our best to monitor the border."