Japan approves extending sanctions against N Korea

The Japanese government on Tuesday approved extending its sanctions against North Korea for one year, amid a lack of progress in resolving Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese citizens. The sanctions, which expire April 13, include banning all imports from and exports to North Korea. Japan has been imposing its own punitive measures on North Korea since July 2006 following Pyongyang's long-range missile test, according to Japan's (Kyodo) news agency. The extension by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda comes at a time when North Korea is preparing for the launch of a satellite on a long-range rocket to mark the centennial of the April 15 birth of its founder Kim Il Sung. Japan and many other countries believe that the planned launch in mid-April is actually a test of a long-range ballistic missile in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Japan is exploring the possibility of introducing additional punitive measures if North Korea goes ahead with the launch, according to government officials.