North Korea fires ballistic missile over Japan

North Korea has fired a missile over Japan as residents were warned to take cover.

The government's J-Alert warning system advised people in the area to take precautions early on Tuesday, but public broadcaster NHK said there was no sign of damage.

It also warned people in the north of the country to take precautions and shelter in their basements, according to NHK.

The Japanese military did not attempt to shoot down the missile, which passed over Japanese territory around 6.06am local time.

Japanese broadcaster TBS warned people to take cover underground.

"Missile launch. Missile launch. It seems that a missile has been fired from North Korea," it tweeted.

The missile fell into the Pacific Ocean off Hokkaido, the Japanese government said.

• North Korea photos reveal worrying new missile plans

• Satellites film North Korea moving missile launcher amid Guam threat

• 'We will make US pay': North Korea angry over stronger UN sanctions

Public broadcaster NHK said there was no sign of damage from the missile.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Tuesday he would do all in his power to protect the Japanese public.

"We will make utmost efforts to firmly protect the lives of the people," Abe told reporters in brief remarks as he entered his office for emergency meetings on the missile firing.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo would respond firmly to North Korea's latest missile launch.

"It is an unprecedented, serious and grave threat to our nation," the top government spokesman told reporters.

Japan protests the firing in the strongest terms, Suga said, calling it a clear violation of United Nations resolutions.

He said Japan will work closely with the United States, South Korea and other concerned nations to take a timely and appropriate response.

South Korea's military said the ballistic missile was fired from the Sunan region near the North Korean capital of Pyongyang, flying about 2700km and reaching an altitude of about 550km.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning the US military was gathering further information about the launch.

"North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America," Manning said.