Japan warned people to 'seek shelter immediately' after North Korea fired a missile toward the east following a spate of launch tests

The Japanese government sparked panic on Tuesday morning after telling citizens to seek immediate shelter from a missile that appears to have flown over Japan and fallen into the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Prime Minister's official residence, a missile was launched from North Korea. People in Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures were warned.

—首相官邸(災害・危機管理情報) (@Kantei_Saigai) October 3, 2022

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Japanese coast guard told the news agency that North Korea might launch a missile off its east coast. The US Embassy in Tokyo broadcasted the alert after a message on Japanese TV.

—U.S. Embassy Tokyo, ACS (@ACSTokyo) October 3, 2022

The Prime Minister's official residence said the missile had passed in a follow-up message. According to officials, the missile is thought to have passed through the Pacific Ocean.

People are urged not to approach or touch any remnants and to contact the police or fire department if they see anything suspicious.

—首相官邸(災害・危機管理情報) (@Kantei_Saigai) October 3, 2022

In the last 10 days, North Korea has fired five missiles. Since the beginning of the year, the country has launched 23 missiles, but Tuesday's warnings were the first in five years.

According to a Washington Post reporter, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference that the North Korean missile fell outside of Japan.

Matsuno said the missile could have a big impact on Japan's people. The government is trying to determine if there is any debris from the missile that fell.

Matsuno said that the ongoing launches by North Korea pose a grave challenge to the safety of Japan.

—Michelle Ye Hee Lee (@myhlee) October 3, 2022