Pentagon chief says North Korea test shows need for better defences

Japanese Self-Defence Force's soldiers are seen next to the unit of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles in the Japanese southern island of Ishigaki, Okinawa prefecture, in this photo taken by Kyodo February 7, 2016. REUTERS/Kyodo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday he did not know if North Korea's latest missile test was a success, but it flew further than past attempts and showed the need to step up defences in South Korea, the United States and Japan.

North Korea launched what appeared to be an intermediate-range missile on Wednesday to a high altitude in the direction of Japan before it plunged into the sea, military officials said, an advance after several test failures, including one two hours earlier.