Japan on alert over unconfirmed report of 2nd N Korean nuclear test

Japan remained on high alert Wednesday as government officials scrambled to verify "unconfirmed information" that North Korea may conduct another nuclear test on the day, following the one it claimed to have carried out Monday. "At the moment, we have no concrete signs, such as abnormality in seismic waves, and are continuing to try to confirm it," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said concerning the reports of a second test.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso told a House of Councillors Budget Committee session, "We are aware of information that it may be conducted during today, but no confirmation has been obtained." The Japan Meteorological Agency said it detected no seismic waves coming from the direction of northern North Korea in the period from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.