North Korea fired a suspected ballistic missile on Thursday, the first day of the window Pyongyang had announced for the launch of a "satellite," the Japanese government said, Kyodo News reported.

The firing comes as North Korea had pledged to launch a rocket carrying a military reconnaissance satellite again "as soon as possible" following a failed launch in May. The Japan Coast Guard on Tuesday said Pyongyang notified its intention to designate three maritime danger zones in which an object may fall during the launch period between Thursday and August 31.