Japan's Defense Minister says North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Wednesday morning, possibly a trajectory-shifting type that is more difficult to intercept.

Hamada Yasukazu says the missiles are both estimated to have landed in the ocean outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

He said Japan lodged a strong protest with North Korea through Pyongyang's embassy in Beijing.

Hamada told reporters that the North launched the missiles from near the country's eastern coast at around 8:50 a.m.

The defense minister said one was fired eastward and reached an altitude of about 150 kilometers, and traveled a distance of around 150 kilometers.

He said the other was launched southeastward. It reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers and flew about 200 kilometers.

The defense chief said there were no reports of damage to ships or aircraft.

Hamada said North Korea has been frequently launching ballistic missiles and escalating its provocations in a persistent and unilateral manner.

He added that the North's actions threaten the peace and security of Japan, the region and the international community, and that they are absolutely unacceptable.