The Japan Foreign Ministry released these remarks from Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on March 3. The measures taken against North Korea by Japan were on Feb. 10.
Japan highly appreciates that the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2270 regarding North Korea’s nuclear test in January and ballistic missile in February. With the adoption of this resolution, which encompasses strong content greatly increasing and strengthening sanctions, the international community has demonstrated a resolute stance against North Korea, along with the independent measures taken by Japan and other countries.
Japan strongly urges North Korea to sincerely heed the strong warnings and condemnation repeatedly expressed by the international community, and to comply faithfully and fully with Resolution 2270 and the series of relevant resolutions, without taking further provocative action.
Japan, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has contributed to the adoption of this resolution in close coordination with concerned countries, including the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK). In implementing of this resolution, Japan will continue to work with concerned countries and respond resolutely to ensure its effectiveness.
Japan will make all possible efforts for the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including abductions, nuclear and missile issues, maintaining the principles of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action,” in close coordination with the international community.
The Government of Japan has taken several measures against North Korea.
First, the Government of Japan implements restrictions on movement of persons. The details are as follows:
Ban on the entry of North Korean citizens.
Ban on the re-entry of North Korean authority officials residing in Japan with an aim to go to North Korea; ban on the re-entry of those who are in the position to assist the above-mentioned North Korean authority officials residing in Japan with an aim to go to North Korea.
Request to all residents not to visit North Korea.
Suspension of Japanese government officials’ visits to North Korea.
Ban on the landing of North Korean flag vessels’ crew members.
Ban on the landing of foreign crew members, sentenced for the violation of the trade and financial measures against North Korea; ban on the re-entry of those foreign citizens residing in Japan, sentenced for the violation of the above-mentioned measures, with an aim to go to North Korea.
Ban on the re-entry of foreign experts on nuclear and missile technology residing in Japan with an aim to go to North Korea.
Second, the Government of Japan reduces the lowest amount that requires notification from equivalent to 1 million yen to 100,000 yen concerning the carrying of currency etc., to North Korea, and bans the payment to North Korea, except for the case in which the amount is less than 100,000 yen with humanitarian purposes.
Third, the Government of Japan bans the entry of all North Korean flag vessels including those for humanitarian purposes, and bans the entry of third-country flag vessels which have previously called at ports in North Korea.
Fourth, the Government of Japan adds to entities and individuals designated for asset-freezing measures.
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