Japan will lodge a diplomatic protest over North Korea's latest missile test through China, its top cabinet official told reporters on Sunday, soon after the isolated communist country fired a 500 km range ballistic missile.  

Describing North Korea's latest missile test as "an act of provocation," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that the missile testing was deliberately timed to coincide with a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

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According to the available information, the minister did not state when and how Japan will seek to lodge a protest with China. As per the diplomatic norm, the Japanese government may lodge a protest with the Chinese embassy in Tokyo.

The Chinese government is yet to issue any statement on the Japanese minister's comments.

Meanwhile, North Korea's missile test on Sunday got a quick rebuke from Abe, who is currently on a visit to the United States.  

"North Korea's most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable. North Korea must fully comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions," Abe said, through a translator.

The U.S. and South Korea have also condemned the missile launch and agreed "to seek all possible options" to stop Pyongyang in the future.

Sunday's missile launch is the first test by Pyongyang since U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office. The isolated country tested several missiles last year, including powerful nuclear missile test, despite wide scale international protests.   

International Community's Overreliance on China over North Korea Issue

Since China is the sole diplomatic ally of Pyongyang, the global community is overtly dependent on Beijing to hold negotiations with its communist neighbor to give up its controversial missile program.  

Due to international pressure, the Chinese government has made some diplomatic efforts to convince its communist counterpart. However, Beijing's efforts have been in vain as Pyongyang adamantly continues with its missile program.

Soon after winning the U.S. elections, Trump had accused China of not doing enough to curtail North Korea's missile campaign.   

TagsJapan, North Korea, China and Japan, North Korea missile tests, China and North Korea