The government on Friday lifted an order for the Self-Defense Forces to shoot down North Korean ballistic missiles in the event that any are launched, sources said Friday.

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, who issued the order April 7, formally lifted it Friday, the sources said, noting that North Korea has recently curbed its provocative action and words, and has called for holding high-level talks with the United States.

The government, which has not made the order public, won't make the matter public even after lifting the order, the sources said.