# North Korea military tensions with Japan > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-korea-military-tensions-with-japan > Updated: 2026-08-19T17:06:46.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. North Korean official Kim Yo-jong has issued a series of military warnings directed at Japan following increased Japanese defense activities. Initially, Kim Yo-jong condemned Japan’s test-firing of a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis destroyer Chokai. She accused Tokyo of abandoning its post-war pacifist stance and criticized the country for increasing defense spending and participating in U.S.-led drills in the Philippines. Kim described Japan as a “war-state” and warned that North Korea would adopt “additional military options” in response to what she characterized as U.S.-enabled militarization. In subsequent statements, the rhetoric intensified. Kim asserted that North Korea views Japan as a potential long-term threat and is monitoring its “military expansion.” She stated that North Korean military leadership is considering strategies to deter or manage these threats as part of its military doctrine, warning that if Japan makes a “wrong choice,” it would face an “immediate and unsurvivable devastating blow.” ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Kim Yo Jong issues military warning to Japan Kim Yo Jong issued a statement warning Japan of a “devastating blow” if it pursues military expansion, stating North Korea views Japan as a threat that must be deterred or suppressed. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kim-yo-jong-issues-military-warning-to-japan ### 2026-08-04: Kim Yo‑jong warns Japan of additional military options after Tomahawk test Kim Yo‑jong warned that North Korea will take “additional military options” after Japan’s Tomahawk test, citing Japan’s rising defence spending, U.S.‑led drills and calling Tokyo a war‑state. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-korea-threatens-new-military-options-over-japans-missile-tests --- Cite as: North Korea military tensions with Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-korea-military-tensions-with-japan