Japan's Defense Ministry says a missile that North Korea launched on Thursday appears to have fallen into waters outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone and it was likely an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The ministry says the missile was launched from North Korea's west coast at 7:09 a.m., local time.

It estimates that the missile apparently flew about 70 minutes and landed in the sea west of Oshima-oshima Island in Hokkaido Prefecture.

Japanese defense officials say there is a high possibility that the North fired what's known as a lofted missile.

South Korea's military says it was a long-range ballistic missile.

Pyongyang has repeatedly launched missiles since last year. Thursday's launch was the country's sixth so far this year.

South Korea's military says the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan off its east coast on Tuesday morning. This happened one day after US and South Korean forces began joint military drills.

Pyongyang said on Sunday the ruling Workers' Party's Central Military Commission had adopted steps to make more effective, powerful and offensive use of its war deterrent.