Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida has criticized North Korea for its latest launch of ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan.
Kishida told reporters that the launch of ballistic missiles infringes UN Security Council resolutions.
He said the Japanese government will lodge a strong protest, according to Japan's (NHK WORLD) website.
Kishida was asked if the missile launch would affect the current investigation into the fate of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea.
He said Japan continues to urge the North to promptly turn in a report on its investigation.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government is making efforts to resume the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program in cooperation with the United States, China, South Korea, and Russia.
The talks have been suspended since December 2008.
Envoys on the North Korean issue from Japan, the US and South Korea met in January. Bilateral discussions on the issue have also been held between Japan and Russia, and between the US and China.
South Korea also met with Russian officials last week. Following the meeting, the South Korean representative hinted at a plan to hold a preliminary meeting before resuming the six-party talks.
A senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official says such a meeting will be meaningful if it helps the countries concerned get on the same page.
The Japanese government maintains that North Korea should take concrete action toward denuclearization before the six-party talks are restarted. It also says the international community needs to work together to urge North Korea to take steps to abandon its nuclear program.