Tokyo, Aug. 20 -- Japan on Thursday said North Korea had launched a suspected ballistic missile, issuing an emergency alert and directing authorities to gather and analyse information on the launch and ensure the safety of aircraft, vessels and other assets, amid US moves to scale back its upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea on the Korean Peninsula targeted at Pyongyang.

Japan's Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X, "North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow."

In a separate post, the Prime Minister's Office said the Prime Minister had instructed authorities to make maximum efforts to gather and analyse information and provide the public with timely and appropriate updates.

The ...