North Korea tests 'new-type weapon' days after missile launch

North Korea tested a "new-type weapon" on September 22, 2026, days after a missile launch, prompting diplomatic protests from Tokyo, officials said.

Japan lodges stern protest

Officials said the new trial followed a missile launch earlier this week. The authorities did not provide technical details about the weapon in the initial accounts, and there was no immediate confirmation from Pyongyang.

The test adds to a short sequence of weapons activity that regional governments are tracking, officials said. Capitals in East Asia routinely respond to such events with formal protests and by raising the issue in diplomatic meetings; officials said they were coordinating responses and monitoring statements from interested governments.

Monitor whether Pyongyang conducts additional tests before September 30, 2026. If further launches occur within that window, governments in the region are likely to escalate diplomatic responses and review security posture, officials said.

Japan lodged a "stern protest" with North Korea over the recent launches, officials said. The Japanese government registered its complaint through diplomatic channels, citing concern about the timing and frequency of the tests.