Japan says North Korean missile shows threat intensifying

Tokyo: One of the missiles launched by North Korea on Wednesday reached an altitude of over 1,000 kms (621 miles) showing the Pyongyang regime has made progress developing intermediate range ballistic missiles (IRBM), Japan`s Minister of Defence said.

"We don`t know whether it counts as a success, but North Korea has shown some capability with IRBMs," Gen Nakatani told reporters in Tokyo. "The threat to Japan is intensifying."

Japan`s defence ministry said that the second missile launched on Wednesday morning flew 400 kms (248 miles) before falling into the Sea of Japan.