North Korea has fired a missile eastwards from its capital, Pyongyang, towards Japan.
Japan media reports say that the missile likely passed over its territory and has warned residents to take shelter.
South Korea and the US are analysing the details of the launch.
Last month, North Korea fired a missile over Japan in what Tokyo called an "unprecedented threat" to the country.
The missile launch comes just days after new sanctions were imposed on North Korea by the United Nations because of its weapons testing.
In response to the missile alert on Friday, South Korea's military conducted a ballistic missile drill in the Japan Sea, known as the East Sea.
South Korea's presidential palace, the Blue House, has called an urgent National Security Council meeting.
Source:CNN
