Japan Considering Own Sanctions Against North Korea Over Missile Launch

Tokyo considers imposing their own sanctions against North Korea with regard to Pyongyang's launch of a ballistic missile, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday.

TOKYO (Sputnik) — Earlier on Sunday, North Korea fired a long-range rocket, defying a UN Security Council resolution which bans Pyongyang from launching rockets that may be used as ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads. Japan’s National Security Council held a meeting shortly after the incident, as the rocket flew over Japan’s Okinawa prefecture.

"Prime Minister [Shinzo Abe] ordered prompt preparation of a decision on our country’s own sanctions [on North Korea]," Kishida said at a press conference, just hours after Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket missile.

According to Kishida, Japan will also actively seek the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution on North Korea and tougher sanctions against the country.

"The question of whether Japan's own sanctions will be imposed before or after a UN decision has not been determined yet," the minister added.

Following the reports about North Korea’s rocket launch, Abe's office said that Japan, in close cooperation with the international community, would not hesitate to take measures against North Korea.