26 August 2017

News Story: Japan freezes assets of more firms, individuals linked to N. Korea

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Cabinet on Friday approved the imposition of new unilateral sanctions on a number of companies and individuals from China, Namibia and North Korea in a bid to further pressure Pyongyang over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The fresh sanctions by Tokyo, in step with the United States, are apparently aimed at preventing the inflow of funds into Pyongyang, which continues to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities in violation of U.N. resolutions.

Tokyo identified four Chinese companies and two Namibian firms, as well as one Chinese individual and one North Korean individual as new targets for sanctions.

While Beijing is widely considered to have significant influence over Pyongyang, the southern African nation of Namibia has been deepening relations with North Korea in recent years, a source close to the matter said.

Read the full story at The Mainichi