Press Releases

1. The UN Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee designated three vessels (SHANG YUAN BAO, NEW REGENT, and KUM UN SAN 3) as subject to sanctions, for engaging in ship-to-ship transfers prohibited by the United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR). Japan designated these three vessels as subject to port entry ban pursuant to Act on Special Measures concerning Prohibition of Entry of Specified Ships into Ports.

2. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard are also conducting information gathering activities for vessels suspected to be in the violation of UNSCRs. When activities suspected of ship-to-ship transfers are found, the Government of Japan notifies the UN Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee and shares information with relevant countries. Japan has publicized 10 cases strongly suspected of being engaged in ship-to-ship transfers.

3. Following the deployment from the end of April for a month, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, in addition to the U.S., have engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs, based in Kadena Air Base from the middle of September. The U.S. and partner countries also deployed the surface vessels for monitoring and surveillance activities in waters surrounding Japan including the East China Sea. In addition to that, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and France are sharing information and coordinating as part of the multinational effort against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers. Japan considers it is significant that the UN Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee designated additional vessels as subject to sanctions following these activities and welcomes this designation.

4. Japan will continue to ensure effectiveness of the relevant UNSCRs while maintaining the solidarity of international community for the realization of North Korea’s dismantlement of all WMD and ballistic missiles in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. The Government of Japan and the U.S. Government shared the view that the 2018 annual cap for refined petroleum products established by UNSCR has already been breached. To have all United Nation member states immediately stop supplying refined petroleum products to North Korea, Japan will work with the United States and other partner countries to strengthen the response to ship-to-ship transfers.