Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government is on alert for provocations in East Asia by China, Russia and North Korea, which it believes might attempt to take advantage of the turmoil in international affairs.
In addition to North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Sunday, military exercises by China and Russia have become more active in the waters and airspace around Japan since the beginning of this year, prompting the Japanese government to step up intelligence gathering and surveillance activities.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno condemned North Korea's latest ballistic missile launch at a press conference Monday.
