“Japan, Imposing Financial Sanctions Against North Korea”

[imText1]A Japanese newspaper, the Mainichi reported that on the 14th the Japanese government confirmed its policy to implement financial sanctions against North Korea this month and freeze assets of individuals or corporations speculated to be involved with weapons of mass destruction.

The newspaper reported that “The government will ban withdrawals and overseas remittances from accounts held in Japan by organizations and individuals suspected of being linked to North Korea’s development of weapons of mass destruction” and “may implement the sanctions before Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi resigns on September 26th.”

The newspaper relayed that “Top government officials deemed it indispensable to impose additional sanctions against the secluded state after North Korea refused to hold talks on its missile development plan and failed to express its readiness to return to the six-party talks even though two months have passed since the United Nations adopted the resolution.”

After the U.S urged members of the United Nations resolution to pass the North Korea financial sanctions, it appears that further cooperation will be advocated through the U.S.-Japan mutual support.

Although it is difficult to anticipate cooperation from China or Russia, it is expected that European countries, Canada, Australia and such will be provoked to cooperate.

The Japanese government plans to identify the individuals or organizations subject to the sanctions based on information from investigative authorities in various countries. Even if dozens of individuals and organizations receive sanctions though it would not have direct affect on North Korea, the Japanese government anticipates that these measures will portray a strong message of ‘pressure’ to each country.

After the missile launch on July 5th, the Japanese government implemented the nine-point sanctions prohibiting the North Korean vessel ‘The Mangyongbong’ and North Korean officials to enter Japan. In addition, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is deliberating drafting a law to further impose sanctions against financial institutions suspected of being involved in money-laundering.