Japan Inflames, Continues Trade Ban With North Korea

Archives - A man watched TV broadcasting news about North Korea firing ballistic missiles over Japan, at a train station in Seoul, South Korea, October 4, 2022 (DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA- As a result of a series of ballistic missile launches by North Korea, the Japanese Authority was inflamed and decided on Friday to extend sanctions against North Korea, including a ban on all trades for two years.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet approved the extension before the deadline for sanctions on Thursday, which prohibits trade and prohibits anchoring in Japan for any ship stopping at the North Korean port.

The decision also takes into account the lack of efforts by North Korea to stop its nuclear and missile programs as well as the issue of the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by Pyongyang in the past.

"We will make our best efforts comprehensively to resolve issues regarding kidnapping and nuclear and missile programs, in close cooperation with the international community," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters in Tokyo, quoted by ANTARA, Friday, April 7.

North Korea recently tested several ballistic missiles that violated the United Nations Security Council (DK PBB) resolution, prompting Japan, the United States, and South Korea to further enhance cooperation over Pyongyang's denuclearization.

Japan has long been trying to repatriate some of its citizens who were kidnapped by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s, but no breakthroughs have been seen.

Kishida showed readiness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without preconditions, but the possibility of the meeting remains unclear.

Tokyo imposed sanctions on Pyongyang in 2006, banning imports from North Korea and the arrival of affiliated ships and has since expanded the scope of punishment measures.