Japan expected to extend sanctions against North KoreaMarch 28, 2015 - 12:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Japan will likely extend its sanctions against North Korea because of Pyongyang's delay in reporting into its abductions of Japanese citizens decades ago, the Nikkei business daily reported on Saturday, March 28, without citing sources, according to Reuters. The government is poised to decide next Tuesday on an extension to a trade embargo on North Korea, a ban on North Korea charter flights and a prohibition on North Korean ships entering Japanese ports, the Nikkei said. In 2002, North Korea admitted kidnapping 13 Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s to help train spies. Five of those abductee and their families later returned to Japan. North Korea said that the remaining eight were dead and that the issue was closed, but Japan has been pressing for more information. Last July, Japan lifted some of sanctions against North Korea, such as easing travel curbs, in return for Pyongyang's reopening of an investigation into the abductees. Tokyo will leave the partial easing of some sanctions unchanged but wants to keep pressure on Pyongyang for not disclosing facts about the kidnappings and the launch of missiles early this month, the Nikkei report said. North Korea was supposed to issue an initial report on a probe into the kidnappings last September but postponed it saying the investigation was at an early stage. There were informal talks among officials between the two sides this month and Japan's delegation threatened to impose tougher sanctions if the report on the abduction probe was delayed further, the Nikkei said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |