TOKYO, October 16. /TASS/. Japan is concerned with the situation on the Korean Peninsula where the North Korean threat is growing, Defense Minister Tomomi Inada told Fuji TV channel on Sunday.

"The situation that arouses serious concern persist. The (North Korean) threat has reached a new level," she said commenting on reports that Pyongyang conducted an unsuccessful test launch of an intermediate ballistic missile on Saturday.

"We will continue collecting information about this launch," the defense minister added noting the importance of cooperation between the United States and South Korea in this situation.