TOKYO - A new law took effect on Tuesday that bars most North Korean ships from Japanese ports, with officials watching to see whether it squeezes a major lifeline to the impoverished communist country. Japan will require all foreign ships over 100 tons to be insured against oil spills, losses and other damages in order to enter under the new law.
With few North Korean ships believed to meet that requirement, the measure effectively bars them from trade and has been referred to by some as economic sanctions in disguise. Ruling party lawmaker Ichita Yamamoto, who heads a group of legislators studying possible sanctions, said that the new shipping restrictions are not enough to pinch North Korea because many of its goods are shipped on Chinese ships. "Even after (this measure) takes effect, it will not have much effect," he said, calling for more direct sanctions targeting Pyongyang.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda said that the government would be watching to see how the new law affects North Korea. |