India, Sept. 20 -- Japan issued an emergency response on Sunday after North Korea launched what appeared to be a ballistic missile from its east coast, adding a major security development to a day when thousands of athletes are competing at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

The launch was detected from the Wonsan area on North Korea's east coast, with South Korean authorities reporting the launch at around 3 p.m. local time. Japan's defence ministry also assessed that the projectile appeared to be a ballistic missile. Reports said it fell into the sea outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

[Emergency alert]North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow.

- PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) September 20, 20...