Press Conferences

Matsui, Asahi Shimbun: I have a question about North Korea’s missile launch. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commented again today that Japan and the United States as well as Japan, the United States, and the Republic of Korea have agreed to strengthen pressure on North Korea. However, the reality is that North Korea’s policies have not changed even with greater pressure. Please explain how the Japanese Government intends to deal with North Korea.

Mr. Norio Maruyama, Foreign Press Secretary: Firstly, we view that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution adopted in September applies tough sanctions to areas not covered in the past, such as the supply of oil related products, intake of North Korean overseas workers, and import of textiles from North Korea.

The estimated impact of these measures, along with income decline from import bans implemented through previous relevant UNSC resolutions, is reduction of North Korea’s foreign-currency income through exports by more than 90%. In this regard, we consider it important to utilize these means to apply maximum pressure on North Korea and change the policies of North Korea. Furthermore, we will work closely with the United States in calling on various countries to fully carry out sanction resolutions against North Korea.

Then, we consider it vital to create conditions in which enhanced pressure on North Korea will cause it to request the lifting of sanctions, alter its policies, and seek dialogue.