Japan extends unilateral sanctions against North Korea

Japanese authorities on Tuesday approved a two year extension of its unilateral sanctions imposed against North Korea.

The decision showed that Japan sees no tangible progress in North Korea's investigation into the abduction of Japanese nationals in the 1970s-80s, Xinhua reported, citing Japan's Kyodo News.

The sanctions, which will expire on April 13, included a ban on entry into Japanese ports of North Korea-registered ships, except for humanitarian purposes, and on chartered flights between the two countries.

Japan partially lifted its sanctions in July last year as North Korea launched a new round of investigations into the whereabouts of the Japanese abductees but has failed to deliver any conclusive report.