The last time North Korea tested a missile like this was in 1998. The long-range missile flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean.

High level Japanese government officials say they do not believe another missile launch is imminent. But officials in the United States disagree. They say Pyongyang plans to test a missile that could reach the United States within weeks.

Japanese analysts say North Korea is tacitly threatening a missile launch to turn U-S attention back to nuclear talks. Talks with North Korea have stalled as attention has focused on Iran's potential nuclear program.

From Reuters.com