Japan extends DPRK sanctions

Japan has extended economic sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for another six months. It cited lack of a breakthrough on Pyongyang's nuclear program and its past abductions of Japanese citizens.

The Japanese government will extend current sanctions banning the entry of DPRK vessels and all products from the country for another half year. Current measures are set to expire on Sunday.

Nobutaka Machimura, Chief Cabinet Secretary said "We've made this decision considering various factors concerning North Korea, such as its failure to submit a complete and accurate declaration on its nuclear capabilities by the end of 2007, as it had promised, as well as its reluctance to take effective action to solve abduction issues."

Earlier this week, US nuclear talks envoy Christopher Hill said a breakthrough has still not been made on settling Pyongyang's long-delayed declaration of its nuclear activities.

Tokyo first imposed sanctions in October 2006 after the DPRK undertook a nuclear test and test-launched ballistic missiles.

Japan's total trade with the DPRK amounted to about 180 million US dollars in 2005, about half of the figure for 2002, and trade volume dwindled in 2006.