North Korea fires missile over Japan's territory, reports say

REUTERS

NHK also reported that Japan took no action to shoot down the projectile, according to CNBC.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that it appeared that a ballistic missile was fired and that it flew over the country.

South Korea's Yonhap, citing the military, said that Pyongyang fired a ballistic missile which flew through Japan's airspace.

Read alsoRussia tried to conceal own participation in DPRK missile program by blaming Ukraine – TurchynovA South Korean military official told NBC News that the projectile was fired around 05:57 local time on Tuesday.

NHK said that the government has urged people in Tohoku to take refuge in solid buildings or underground shelters.