World War 3? Japan Reacts To North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launch Amid Nuclear Threats

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday condemned North Korea's firing of a ballistic missile into the sea off its east coast, saying that the reclusive country may further provoke its neighbors with its nuclear advancements. Abe vowed to cooperate with the United States and South Korea to protect the country from Pyongyang's threats.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's regime test-fired a possible KN-15 missile, also known as Pukguksong-2, which flew about 37 miles before hitting international waters with a maximum altitude of over 117 miles. The missile launch is believed to be "extremely problematic," leading to strong protest in Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday, according to Reuters.

Suga also reiterated Abe's commitment to fight North Korea, saying that Japan would not tolerate Pyongyang's repeated provocative actions.

Read: Where Will North Korea Attack First?

The latest missile test comes just days after North Korea warned it will "mercilessly smash the enemy's (South Korea and the U.S.) moves with its own style of special operation and preemptive attack" in retaliation to the joint drills by South Korea-U.S. special operations teams in Seoul. The annual military drills, conducted by the U.S. and South Korea, began March 1 and will continue through the end of next month.

"The ill-famed units is mainly aimed at carrying out the 'beheading operation' for 'removing the headquarters of the North' and the 'preemptive attack' operation for blowing up the nuclear and rocket bases," North Korea said in a statement, at the time.

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he was ready to take on North Korea, as speculation grew the reclusive country was gearing up for its sixth nuclear test.

North Korea has continued its nuclear advancements and launched ballistic missiles in direct defiance of United Nations sanctions placed during former President Barack Obama’s tenure in office.

Meanwhile, Japan has been working on securing its grounds from North Korea. Last month, Japan fired off a brand new spy satellite into orbit in an effort to keep a closer eye on its rival. The launch was believed to be in response to Pyongyang's test-firing of four intermediate-range ballistic missiles on March 6 toward Japan.