Japan cools to NKorea’s vow to ‘stop nuclear tests’
The Japanese government reacted coolly to North Korea’s announcement on Saturday of its suspension of nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile test launches, and scrapping of its nuclear test site.
A senior Foreign Ministry official said that the announcement could never be considered a specific move toward the abandonment of its nuclear and missile development in a “complete, verifiable and irreversible manner,” which the Japanese and U.S. leaders agreed upon during their summit meeting.
“(Pyongyang’s announcement is) not sufficient as it did not mention the abolition of nuclear weapons,” Foreign Minister Taro Kono told reporters in Tokyo on Saturday. “What the international community has demanded is real action. Even though Pyongyang made such comments, sanctions will not be lifted.”
Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, who was visiting the United States, expressed in Washington his dissatisfaction, telling reporters on Friday, “(Pyongyang’s announcement) referred neither to the abandonment of its short- and medium-range ballistic missiles
(that are capable of reaching Japan) nor the abandonment of its nuclear program.”
Onodera also expressed his intention to maintain Japan’s stance to strengthen pressure, by saying, “(Japan) aims to put maximum pressure (on North Korea) to make (Pyongyang) abandon its nuclear and missile programs.”
North Korea has continued its nuclear and missile development despite previous dialogues with the international community.
For that reason, the prevailing view within the Japanese government about North Korea’s moves to totally abandon its nuclear program is one of suspicion.
Taro Aso, deputy prime minister and finance minister, who was also visiting Washington, said at a press conference on Friday, “(North Korea) has made several promises before, but has continued (its nuclear and missile development). As it was only paying lip service, I cannot comment.”
A senior Foreign Ministry official said, “We can’t accept this announcement positively.”
While carefully watching what North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will do next, the Japanese government intends to enhance pressure on Pyongyang through the United States for the abandonment of its short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.