TOKYO (REUTERS) - Japan's top government spokesman said on Thursday (March 10) that the nation continues to closely cooperate with countries such as the United States and South Korea and is urging North Korea to refrain from taking proactive action.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference the government remains vigilant and is prepared for all circumstances.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast city of Wonsan early on Thursday, flying approximately 500 km, South Korea's military said.