Japanese Diet insists on imposing further sanctions on North Korea following the latter’s third nuclear test; Japan is set to join the Hague Convention; Tokyo and Washington to seek tougher UN Sanctions on North Korea; Tokyo and Seoul to cooperate on Nort
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • February 11-17

    Reports noted that the two Houses of the Japanese Diet (Parliament) recently adopted resolutions condemning North Korea’s recent nuclear test and seeking further government efforts to resolve as early as possible Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile issue and past abduction of Japanese nationals. However, the resolution adopted by the Upper House or the House of Councilors however also emphasized on resolving the issue simultaneously through dialogue and more effective new sanctions. 1 It is worth noting that after the test, the Japanese government imposed further sanctions on the North by denying reentry “of people who are positioned to effectively assist North Korean authorities residing in Japan if they leave for North Korea.” 2

    In another development, according to reports, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during his upcoming visit to the US, is set to express his country’s willingness to join the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the international treaty on child-custody disputes. At present, Japan is the only G-8 member state who is not a signatory to the Convention. 3

    Reports noted that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama have agreed to seek the early adoption of a new UN Security Council Resolution to impose additional tougher sanctions on North Korea following Pyongyang’s latest nuclear test. While Abe called for imposition of economic sanctions on the North, Obama assured Japanese security under the US nuclear umbrella. 4

    In other developments, reports noted that during a recent talk between Japanese Prime Minister Abe and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, both the leaders condemned the North Korean nuclear test. While insisting on a strong UNSC resolution on the issue, Lee also agreed that both Seoul and Tokyo need to cooperate in that matter. The two leaders however also agreed that they should work closely with the US on the nuclear issue. 5

    Top