Tensions rise in East Asia as North Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, prompting emergency alerts and strong responses from Japan and South Korea. North Korea fired several ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast on Wednesday, Japan and South Korea’s military said, following a separate launch detected a day earlier as Pyongyang doused Seoul’s hopes of an easing in tensions. Japanese authorities have issued an emergency alert saying North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile, believed to be aimed at the ocean. The English account of the prime minister’s office of Japan posted the notice on X at about 4pm AEST (2pm AWST). “North Korea has launched a suspected ballistic missile. More updates to follow,” the post said. Minutes later, the account posted instructions from the country’s prime minister Sanae Takaichi, which details a three-step response plan. South Korean authorities confirmed that short-range ballistic missiles had been la...