Japan punishes North Korea with 'luxuries' ban

Japan’s cabinet adopted a list of embargoed luxury items to North Korea today and approved a ban on materials related to weapons of mass destruction as part of sanctions against Pyongyang after its nuclear test.

Chief cabinet secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said the list comprised 24 luxury items such as cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and motorcycles, believed to be used by senior North Korean officials.