Japan Introduces Unilateral Sanctions Against N Korea Over Rocket Launch

The Japanese government announced on Wednesday the introduction of tougher sanctions against North Korea, including a ban on admission of foreign vessels to the Japanese ports following their visit to North Korea, in response to the recent launch of a long-range missile by Pyongyang.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — The government of Japan is likely to consider further measures in the future, depending on the response of the DPRK and actions of the international community, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told journalists.

According to media reports, Japan's tougher sanctions against North Korea envisage a ban on money transfers in the country, with the exception of humanitarian aid in amount of less than $1,000. In addition, foreign experts in the field of nuclear and missile technologies, who have visited North Korea, will be banned from traveling to Japan.

On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo would tighten unilateral sanctions against Pyongyang, after North Korea launched the long-range rocket on Sunday, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution which bans Pyongyang from launching rockets that may be used as ballistic missiles to carry nuclear warheads.

Following Abe's announcements, the Japanese Foreign Ministry told Sputnik that Tokyo would swiftly proceed with measures against Pyongyang "for comprehensively resolving the issues of abduction, nuclear and missiles."

Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang claimed on January 6 that it had successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, triggering condemnation from the international community.

Tokyo has already imposed several rounds of unilateral sanctions, including a trade embargo, against Pyongyang over cases of Japanese citizens being abducted.