Japan is closely monitoring the situation in North Korea after Pyongyang announced it is preparing to launch a missile.

A Japanese government official said Tuesday that Tokyo is watching the situation closely, although there have been no concrete signs of a launch.

The official said the Japanese government is collecting related information and monitoring the situation in conjunction with Seoul, noting that Pyongyang has been spotted making preparations related to a missile test.

NHK and a number of other Japanese media outlets on Tuesday reported breaking news on the North’s preparations to launch a missile.