Japanese officials say North Korea could send a nuclear-armed missile over Japan if it tests a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.
They were responding Friday to reports that North Korea's foreign minister had said his country might conduct such a test.
Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said North Korea might conduct an H-bomb test with a medium-range or intercontinental ballistic missile, given its recent advances in missile and nuclear weapons development. He said that "we cannot deny the possibility it may fly over our country."
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said he is aware of the remark by Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, and that the Japanese government would respond to any contingency with all possible warning and surveillance measures.
Ri made the comment to reporters at the U.N. and added that any potential action would have to be approved by Kim Jong Un.
