 Japan-North Korea issues be resolved through dialogues not sanctions: JCP Ogata Japanese Communist Party Upper House member Ogata Yasuo on November 1 said at a meeting of its Abduction Issue Ad hoc Committee that Japan-North Korea issues including abduction cases should be resolved through dialogues and not sanctions against the country. He questioned Foreign Minister Machimura Nobutaka since he had earlier referred to possible economic sanctions. Ogata, quoting the South Korean president as saying that economic sanctions won't do good to any country, and that his government is deeply concerned over Japan's policy, said, "South Korea expects Japan to take peace initiatives on this matter, and your careless remark on economic sanctions might harm our national interests." He asked him what the government would try to do at the Japan-North Korea working-level talks to be held soon. Machimura answered, "The government is prepared to talk honestly with counterparts without brandishing such threats as sanctions at first. What matters is to hold the talks in a sincere manner." Machimura, on September 29 immediately after assuming office stated, "Japan should clearly show its will toward North Korea during the talks that it may use its 'trump card' of economic sanctions by setting a deadline if North Korea's stance on the investigation of the allegedly kidnapped 10 Japanese nationals remains unchanged." (end) |