Tokyo put its missile defenses on alert in response to reports of the Musudan deployment.

WSJ: North Korea Fires Missiles Into Sea

They are more willing than Clinton was to think about taking U.S. missile forces off alert status, and they are open to other suggestions for reducing nuclear risk.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Newsweek declares the missile defense debate Over��

Japan's Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said his nation was on "high alert", with anti-missile defences deployed in Tokyo as a precaution.

BBC: South Korea raises alert with North to 'vital threat'