Barack Obama to protect Japan with american atomic shield

Barack Obama reaffirmed Wednesday, U.S. commitment to protect Japan including U.S. “nuclear shield” after North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Tuesday, during a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister, according to AFP.

Obama and Shinzo Abe, expected to visit Washington late this month, “spoked about the North Korean nuclear test and the appropriate response for the violation of international obligations by North Korea,” White house said in a statement.

North Korea appears to conduct 3rd nuclear test, officials and experts say

North Korea conducted a nuclear test on Tuesday, South Korea’s defence ministry said, after seismic activity measuring 4.9 magnitude was registered by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicentre of the seismic activity, which was only one km below the Earth’s surface, was close to the North’s known nuclear test site.

“We’ve been informed by the South Koreans that there’s been a (North Korean) nuclear test,” a U.N. Security Council diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.