Japan concluded that North Korea is contributing to an “increasingly severe” security situation in Northeast Asia, an annual White Paper released on Tuesday said.

The report, which is published every summer by the Japanese Defense Ministry, said North Korea’s improving missile capabilities formed part of the increased threat towards Japan.

“The development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and missiles by North Korea constitutes, coupled with provocative words and actions, including missile attacks against Japan, a serious and imminent threat to the security of Japan,” the report said.

Citing North Korean state media articles from 2013 that listed Japanese cities