Alert: It has been launched

Earlier today, the Japanese government issued an urgent warning to residents of the southern prefecture of Okinawa to avoid the threat posed by a North Korean missile.

Later, the warning was lifted as authorities determined that the missile would not reach Japanese territory.

A Japanese government official said there was a problem during the launch and a bang like an explosion was heard, NHK reported.

The missile disappeared from radar, the official said, adding that the launch was probably unsuccessful.

North Korea had previously informed Japan that it planned to launch a satellite between May 27 and June 4.