Local authorities issued the warning on the north island of Hokkaido, shortly after the launch of a suspected ballistic missile from the Korean peninsula
The Japanese government warned residents of the northernmost main island of Hokkaido to take immediate cover after a missile launch by North Korea sparked concerns it was likely to fall near the island.
Japan’s government emergency broadcasting system issued an evacuation warning just before 8am local time on Thursday, but lifted it soon after, saying the missile had already fallen into the water.