June 18 (Bloomberg) -- Japan is ``unlikely to immediately appeal to arms'' if a North Korean long-range missile drops on the country, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said.

``There's a clear difference between two and three missiles landing on Japan and a missile dropped on Japan by mistake,'' Aso said today on Asahi TV. ``A mistake is likely and must be anticipated.''

North Korea is preparing to test fire a long-range ballistic missile as early as this weekend, according to media reports. North Korea in 1998 fired a long-range Taepodong 1 missile that flew over Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean. It has test- fired short-range missiles since then, including a trial in March, when it launched two. The U.S. confirmed the tests.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mariko Yasu in Tokyo at myasu@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 17, 2006 23:10 EDT