North Korea says Japan's missile expansion is raising regional security risks

North Korea accused Japan of heightening regional security risks by accelerating the deployment and development of long-range missiles, saying Tokyo's military buildup amounted to preparations for a future attack, state media KCNA said on Friday.



KCNA said in a commentary that Japan had begun deploying an upgraded version of its Type 12 surface-to-ship missile in Kumamoto and planned to position other long-range systems across multiple prefectures, putting neighbouring countries within range.



The commentary said Japan was pouring resources into extending missile ranges and adapting them for launches from land, sea and air, calling the systems "clearly long-range offensive weapons."



KCNA dismissed Japan's claim that the buildup was for self-defence, saying it reflected ambitions to secure attack capabilities and was part of "war preparations for re-invasion."