New Delhi, Jan. 4 -- Japan issued an emergency alert on Saturday after North Korea launched what is believed to be a ballistic missile, escalating regional tensions and reviving security concerns across East Asia.

In a statement posted on X, the Prime Minister's Office of Japan confirmed that the launch had been detected earlier in the day and that authorities were continuing to assess the situation.

"North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow," the post said, without immediately detailing the missile's trajectory, range, or whether it landed within Japan's exclusive economic zone.

Japan's Ministry of Defence later said the missile was believed to have already fallen, adding that it was closely monit...