Tokyo - The Japanese parliament on Tuesday adopted a resolution urging North Korea to halt its scheduled rocket launch.

The resolution was adopted unanimously during the parliamentary session, calling the possible launch of a long-range ballistic missile "an action that would damage peace and stability not only in Japan but in the north-east Asian region."

Japan would not "tolerate the act and would demonstrate its firm protest against the notice of the launch."

The government urged North Korea to refrain from launching the missile while cooperating closely with other concerned nations," Prime Minister Taro Aso said. "Pyongyang should listen sincerely to voices of the international community.

"Should North Korea go ahead with the launch, (Japan) will first resolutely deal with the case at the United Nations Security Council," Aso told the upper house plenary session in the morning.

North Korea was said to be preparing for a rocket launch between April 4 and 8, which it claims would leave a satellite into orbit. But it is a suspected test of a Taepodong-2 long-range missile. (dpa)