North Korea has launched another missile, more than 12 hours after it fired a series of missiles. U.S. and Asian leaders are condemning the launches as a provocation.

Junichiro Koizumi

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi confirmed that North Korea fired another missile late Wednesday. He said that he has heard that a seventh missile was launched and more may be fired. He says that the launches will not benefit North Korea. Mr. Koizumi also says that other countries should not cut off communications with Pyongyang.

Tokyo on Wednesday imposed new sanctions on Pyongyang, including barring a North Korean ferry from going to Japan.

Passengers in Seoul subway train watch TV screens broadcasting North Korea's missile test launches

South Korean officials also said that Pyongyang had launched what appeared to be a medium-range missile shortly after five p.m. It landed in the sea east of the Korean peninsula.

Before dawn Wednesday, Pyongyang fired at least six missiles. Most were short-range missiles that fell into the sea. One was a long-range Taepodong-2, which failed about half a minute into its flight.

U.S., South Korean and Japanese leaders have condemned the launches and warned they could deepen North Korea's isolation.