Japan for extra sanctions against N Korea

Tokyo: Japan is considering more steps against North Korea in addition to a UN Security Council vote to impose financial and weapons sanctions on Pyongyang for its claimed nuclear test, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday.

Japan on Friday had already approved fresh sanctions against North Korea, including a six-month ban on North Korean ships from Japanese ports, a ban on all imports from the impoverished communist state, and a prohibition on the entry of North Korean nationals except those living in Japan.

"The international community has sent a strong message to North Korea that the possession of nuclear weapons will not be tolerated," Abe said.

"We are already studying (additional measures) and I want to make a final decision," Abe added.

Japan is likely to impose a ban on exports of luxury goods and tighten a de facto freeze on remittances and the transfer of funds from Japan by groups suspected of links to the North's weapons of mass destruction or missile programmes, and on trade in related weapons-related goods through third countries.

The US-drafted UN Security Council resolution bars trade with North Korea in dangerous weapons. It also imposes bans on heavy conventional weapons and luxury goods and asks nations to freeze funds connected with North Korea's non-conventional arms programmes.

The resolution also allows nations to stop cargo going to and from North Korea to check for weapons of mass destruction or related supplies.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said Japan, whose military actions are limited by the pacifist constitution, was now considering how it could take part in any ship inspections.

"We are being asked to take cooperative action so as a member of the United Nations we must respond to the extent possible," Aso said.

"It's a technical discussion and there are various views. Japan will now consider what methods it can use," Aso added.

He said the basis for action could be a 1999 law that allows its forces to cooperate with US forces in an "emergency situation in surrounding areas", but added that additional enabling legislation was also an option.

Aso said that Japan did not have to act right away. "It will take 10 days to two weeks for America to come up with a plan so I think it's fine if we decide what to do by then".