Wed, April 01, 2009
TOKYO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Thursday that Japan is considering additional sanctions on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) if it launches a ballistic missile or a satellite.
"From a comprehensive perspective, we will consider imposing more sanctions," Aso said at a House of Councilors Budget Committee session.
He said that Japan needs to take into consideration various factors, including the responses of U.N. Security Council members if the DPRK really launches a satellite, in deciding Tokyo's response to the planned launch.
Urging the DPRK to refrain from the launching action, Aso warned that the DPRK should not take actions that heighten regional tensions and jeopardize regional peace and stability.
Japan has been imposing unilateral sanctions on the DPRK since it test-fired missiles in July 2006, banning port calls by DPRK-registered vessels and all imports from the country.
The DPRK declared on Feb. 24 that it plans to launch a communications satellite as part of a peaceful space program, but countries such as the United States, Japan and South Korea believe that it may in fact plan to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile "Taepodong-2".
On March 12, the DPRK notified international organizations that it will launch a rocket between April 4-8.
