Shigeru Koga, candidate for Amagasaki City Dietman of Hyogo Prefecture, said that the DPRK's satellite launch is not problematic in view of the outer space treaty as it informed relevant international organizations of its satellite launch beforehand. Only Japan is hysterically kicking up a big racket, labeling the satellite as a "missile," he noted.

Masaaki Arimoto, co-representative of the "Osaka Citizens Solidarity for Early Normalization of Japan-DPRK Relations," said that the Japanese government and media are making a fuss, creating the feelings of a crisis over the DPRK's launch of the satellite for peaceful purposes. The DPRK's satellite launch is an admirable event as it greatly contributed to the development of science and technology and the promotion of prosperity in the DPRK, he added.

Honorary Professor of Saitama University Takao Kamakura, who is former rector of Higashinihon International University, said that it is entirely unreasonable for the Japanese government to insist on applying new sanctions against the DPRK on charges of violation of a UNSC "resolution."

Honorary Professor of the University of Tokyo Haruki Wata noted that it is wrong for the government to create extreme phobia among people and take tough steps while misrepresenting the said launch as a "missile launch." It cannot be interpreted otherwise than a revelation of its intention to restore popularity under the unstable political circumstances, he added.

Hirogazu Kitagawa, deputy general secretary of the Japan Committee for Supporting the Independent and Peaceful Reunification of Korea, stressed that the Japanese government should lift the sanctions against the DPRK and opt for dialogue according to the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration.