North Korea's notable progress in its nuclear and missile developments, underpinned by Friday's fifth nuclear test, is becoming a real security threat to Japan, which hosts a bulk of U.S. military bases as Washington's key ally in East Asia, analysts say.
Following Friday's test, coming on the heels of more than 20 ballistic missiles launched by the reclusive state this year, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada said the possibility of North Korea having miniaturized nuclear weapons through the last four nuclear tests cannot be denied.
"We cannot rule out the possibility that with the nuclear test this time, North Korea's nuclear technology has reached a stage where it can aim for" operational use, a senior Defense Ministry official said.