The Japanese government has warned that a North Korean missile is headed toward the Tohoku region at the northern end of the country, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.

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

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

A South Korean military official told NBC News that the projectile was fired around 5:57 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

A senior U.S. intelligence official told NBC that this would be the first missile test to pass over Japan on a high altitude trajectory. U.S. Pacific Command said it’s expected that the missile will splash down at 6:29 a.m. local time.

The Japanese government has urged people in Tohoku to take refuge in solid buildings or underground shelters, according to NHK.

On Monday, U.S. and Japanese servicemen concluded joint exercises in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost major island.

This story is developing. Please check back for further updates.

Source: cnbc china
North Korean projectile passed over Japan, reports say