Press Releases

1. Japan highly appreciates that the United Nation Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2371 (PDF) on August 6 in response to the launches of an ICBM-class ballistic missiles (July 4 and 28) and other activities conducted by North Korea. It is totally unacceptable that North Korea has been continuing its provocative actions including the two nuclear tests and the launches of nearly 40 ballistic missiles since last year. The launches of the ICBM-class ballistic missiles show that North Korea poses an increasingly grave and real threat to the entire international community, including Japan. As a member of the United Nations Security Council, Japan has worked closely with relevant countries at all levels towards the adoption of this new strong resolution which includes strict sanctions measures. Japan welcomes the adoption of the resolution, as the testament of the shared determination of the international community to apply maximum pressure on North Korea.

2. Building on other relevant resolutions, Resolution 2371 further restricts the flow of people, goods, and funds to North Korea. This includes significant measures to reduce the foreign currency revenue sources of North Korea. In order to apply effective pressure on North Korea, Japan will closely cooperate with other United Nations Member States to fill any loopholes and strictly and fully implement the resolution.

3. Japan once again strongly urges North Korea to sincerely heed the voice of the international community and to comply with the relevant resolutions, including Resolution 2371. Japan also urges it to halt further provocations immediately such as nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, and to show its serious will and　concrete actions towards the verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

4. Under the principles of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action,” and in close coordination with the international community, including the United States and the Republic of Korea, Japan will continue to make active efforts for the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, which continues to be the most important. With regard to the abductions issue, Japan will urge North Korea to implement the Stockholm Agreement and continue to make every possible effort to realize the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date.