N Korea missile launch may bring Japan sanctions

Tokyo, Jun 25: Japan could impose its own economic sanctions on North Korea if it launches a ballistic missile, without reference to the United Nations, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said today.

Tensions rose across the region earlier this month after US officials said spy satellite photographs indicated that Pyongyang might be preparing to fire a long-range missile.

''The laws have been passed, so all those options would come on to the table,'' Aso told NHK television, referring to provisions that could be used to freeze cash transfers and ban ferry services between Japan and North Korea.

He said such measures could be introduced without reference to the UN Security Council.

The Kyodo news agency said last week that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was preparing another bill aimed at North Korea that would bar Japanese financial institutions from dealing with anyone suspected of being involved in money laundering.

The LDP would also propose specific sanctions Japan should take if North Korea fired a missile, Kyodo said.

Japan and the United States have threatened to refer North Korea to the UN Security Council if it launches a missile.

But analysts have said the Security Council is unlikely to impose sanctions, due to likely opposition by China and Russia.

REUTERS