Japan considers sanctions against North Korea

Japan is preparing to impose sanctions against North Korea if it carries out a reported threat to conduct nuclear tests, it was reported today.

The Japanese government had “no evidence” that the reclusive communist state would carry out such a test in the immediate future but was drafting sanctions in part to dissuade it from crossing that threshold, the national Yomiuri newspaper said.

Under a three-phase plan, Japan would initially deny permission for the crews of North Korean ships to disembark at Japanese ports and restrict movement of people between the two countries.

Tokyo would then consult Washington about cutting off remittances to North Korea via Japanese banks, and in the third phase, Japan would urge the United Nations Security Council to adopt a resolution implementing economic sanctions.