Japan says North Korean test would be grave threat

TOKYO, Oct 9 (Reuters) A North Korean nuclear test, if confirmed, would be a grave threat to Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said today.

''If it is true, it is a grave threat to our nation,'' he said.

''We will sternly protest,'' Shiozaki, the government's chief spokesman, told a news conference.

North Korea's official KCNA news agency said earlier the country had successfully carried out an underground nuclear test.

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