TOKYO, April 1: North Korea fired a short-range, ground-to-ship test missile on Tuesday morning, Japan’s Transport Minister Chikage Ogi said.

“We obtained information that North Korea fired a missile that flew about 60 kilometres,” Ogi told at a House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday.

There had been speculation in the Japanese media that North Korea would launch a ballistic missile soon to underline its displeasure for Japan’s launch of spy satellites last week.

North Korea last fired a short-range, ground-to-ship missile over the Sea of Japan on March 10, and before that on February 24. The last test missile was expected and Japanese and US military officials played down the significance of the launch.

The Japanese government decided to deploy intelligence satellites after North Korea launched a Taepodong ballistic missile in 1998, part of which flew over the Japanese archipelago and fell into the Pacific Ocean.

The satellite project marks a major turnaround in Japan’s space development policy, which has been based on the principle of the peaceful, non-military use of space.

Once the satellites go into full operation, Japan will be able to obtain information that could have direct bearings on its national security.

At present, Japan relies mostly on US satellite information and communications signal intercepts to learn of North Korean missile launches, including the test-firing of two anti-ship missiles in February.—dpa