Japan to impose outright exports ban on N. Korea following nuke test

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TOKYO, May 26 Kyodo -
Japan has decided to impose an outright ban on exports to North Korea as part
of its efforts to toughen sanctions on Pyongyang following Monday's nuclear
test by the country, government sources said Tuesday.
But the proposed ban is expected to have only a limited impact on the reclusive
nation, as the total value of exports is relatively small.
Also, Japan already imposed an outright ban on imports from North Korea and
port calls to Japan by North Korean-registered vessels in October 2006 when
Pyongyang conducted its first nuclear experiment.
Under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 adopted after the nuclear test,
Japan has also prohibited exporting luxury items to North Korea.
By strengthening sanctions of its own, nonetheless, Japan is apparently aiming
to highlight its stance of ''sternly'' dealing with North Korea's nuclear
threat as Prime Minister Taro Aso has emphasized.
While closely watching developments on the U.N. Security Council, the
government will decide when to impose the exports ban, the sources said.
At Tuesday's series of meetings held by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party,
lawmakers called for tough measures against North Korea. One lawmaker stated
that this is the only timing for Japan to toughen its sanctions and otherwise
it may have no other chance.
Japan's exports to North Korea totaled roughly 800 million yen in 2008,
according to the Finance Ministry's trade statistics.
In April, following North Korea's rocket launch, Japan imposed fresh sanctions
including reducing the amount of remittance to North Korea subject to reporting
to the Japanese government from more than 30 million yen to more than 10
million yen.
==Kyodo