Press Releases

1. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Japan Coast Guard are conducting information gathering activities for vessels suspected to be in the violation of North Korea-related United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) from the viewpoint of full implementation 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 from this January.

2. From the end of April for a month and from the middle of September for a month and a half, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to the U.S., have engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities by aircraft against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs, based in Kadena Air Base. In addition to that, naval vessels such as the U.S. multiple naval vessels, British Royal Navy Frigate SUTHERLAND, British Royal Navy Flagship ALBION, Royal Canadian Navy frigate CALGARY and Royal Australian Navy frigate MELBOURNE have engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities in waters surrounding Japan including the East China Sea. Furthermore, the UK will be providing a further contribution to maritime sanctions enforcement activity later this year when British Royal Navy Frigate ARGYLL is in the region.

3. Japan considers that international community needs to fully implement the relevant UNSCRs while maintaining the solidarity for the realization of North Korea’s dismantlement of all WMD and ballistic missiles of all ranges in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. In this regard, Japan welcomes and highly appreciates the efforts by partner countries to that end. Japan will continue to work closely with all partner countries to ensure effectiveness of the relevant UNSCRs.