Japan suspects yet another N Korean sanctions breach at sea

So? Just "observing" and "reporting" is not going to stop NK from continuing to thumb their noses at UN sanctions. Kim and his lackeys are not going to suffer, it's the people who are and will continue to do so.

Why not just send out some of those Japanese destroyers and stop them? Right don't want to escalate the problem, and become a target.

Another case where Japan wants someone else to do the dirty work!

leave NK alone

I don't get this. Of course NK is going try and get the things it needs, by going under cover of darkness and being secretive is need be.

Isn't it the 'Maldivian-flagged tanker"Xin Yuan 18" some 250 km (156 miles) east of Shanghai' that should be being accused of breaking sanctions?

I in no way approve of NK's policies and actions, but I don't see how increasingly rigid strong-arm tactics on the part of the rest of the world (=the US) is going to persuade them that everyone just wants to get along peacefully. Rather than acting like the North Wind trying to blow the man's overcoat off, why not be like the Sun, shining ever warmer until the man removes and discards the overcoat of his own accord?

Donald Trump reiterated he would negotiate with North Korea, but only under the right conditions.

I haven't heard him say anything so far about negotiating. All I've heard is demands for NK to unilaterally denuclearise (like Libya did?) and threats of 'bloody noses', 'fire and fury' and 'total destruction'. And a gamut of personal insults guaranteed to bring Kim to the negotiating table eager and willing to listen to the wisdom that drips from Trump's mouth (not) - 'Little Rocket Man', 'sick puppy', 'a bad dude', 'maniac'.

Do people really expect (or want) North Korea to starve to death?

Do people really expect (or want) North Korea to starve to death?

No. But the NK people now have the chance to rise up against the Kim monarchy, and welcome in democracy led by the worlds two leaders in democracy,USA and Japan. Or continue supporting the Kim despots. The choice is theirs.And Japan-USA will not accept ANY nation caught out trading food or goods with NK, like China, Iran or Russia.

Send in Team America!

NK won't stop skirting sanctions any time soon unless these sanctions are properly enforced. If NK continues to do this, they should be seized and boarded by the coastguard or navy. If the crew provides armed resistance, they should be destroyed. Sanctions without proper enforcement is the same as no sanctions

No. But the NK people now have the chance to rise up against the Kim monarchy, and welcome in democracy led by the worlds two leaders in democracy,USA and Japan. Or continue supporting the Kim despots. The choice is theirs.And Japan-USA will not accept ANY nation caught out trading food or goods with NK, like China, Iran or Russia.

Considering the timidity of the Japanese people (who don't live in a dictatorship) when it comes to challenging their superiors on unjust matters (poor working conditions being just one example), I think you're being unrealistic to expect the North Korean people to rise up as a mass and otherthrow the government.

These sanctions are paramount to human rights abuse.

As a young man a US Navy brat full of optimism I experienced the US atrocities in its wars in SE Asia that saddened me deeply. I moved to Japan in the 70's. I tired of reading all the negative crap about NK so contacted Chongryong, met some of their reps, began volunteer activities at their schools and as a career guidance advisor at their University. What future do they have to look forward to upon graduation? I took my daughters and some gifts along was welcomed by teachers and kids. It's not their fault they were born in a difficult situation basically the great grandchildren of slaves. Better than aggression IMO

Rather than acting like the North Wind trying to blow the man's overcoat off, why not be like the Sun, shining ever warmer until the man removes and discards the overcoat of his own accord?

True. There are surely other ways of de isolating and building a relationship with NK.

I feel horrible for the NK people but the fact of the matter is that their leader is a lunatic and a serious threat, the sanctions need to be in place and enforced until Rocket Man starts feeling the effects. Until then any ship that is caught illegally transferring goods should be sunk.

It's the Chinese and Russians who are breaking the sanctions; they are the ones who should be admonished.

All should be admonished. And, since China and Russia are both supposed to be responsible members of the security council maybe they should be admonished twice.

ThePBotToday  08:11 am JST

Do people really expect (or want) North Korea to starve to death?

That's exactly what DPRK has been doing to their own people. Remember that defecting soldier with the tapeworms in his intestine? Makes you wonder what the DPRK government has been "feeding" its people.

GoodlucktoyouToday  10:23 am JST

These sanctions are paramount to human rights abuse.

When North Korea was firing missiles over Japan, you were among the many who opposed military action and supported sanctions. Now you are saying sanctions are human rights abuse? Where were you while DPRK was committing genocide, mass murders and other human rights abuses against their own people?

I suppose you want continuation of the DPRK regime?

But the NK people now have the chance to rise up against the Kim monarchy, and welcome in democracy led by the worlds two leaders in democracy,USA and Japan.

Gambare, I'd like to see the NK people overthrow their totalitarian-human-rights-abuser regime. But first you have to remove Kim Jong-Un and the DPRK regime. The only way to remove the DPRK regime is through coercive military action, led by the UN/US/SK. With a new democratic NK government in place, then there can be a democratic Unified Korea.

But as long as Kim and DPRK is in power, that ain't gonna happen.

But the NK people now have the chance to rise up against the Kim monarchy, and welcome in democracy led by the worlds two leaders in democracy,USA and Japan.

I thought this way too. But the citizens of NK are encouraged to snitch on anyone they suspect in rocking the boat to the authorities. Kind of a more severe version of "the nail that sticks up" (gets sent to the salt mines)

Would take a brave person to make the first move. Though, would probably get a lot of support very quickly, the military would likely have no qualms about opening fire on any large gatherings.

@ DAaronToday - I feel horrible for the NK people but the fact of the matter is that their leader is a lunatic and a serious threat - Same can be said about the USA its citizens & politicians, how do we sink them?

How about this imaginary news headline - American man defects to DPRK. Examination revealed he was obscenely obese with traces of cocaine on all of his money, was found to be addicted to sitting motionless watching sports and advertisements ad nauseam, eating junk food drinking sugar laden colas that rotted his teeth, believes in an imaginary god who allowed his son to be tortured and crucified, on one hand preaches love on the other creates famines disasters wars, murders billions who don't believe in him. We will try and re-educate him.

US and the rest of the world has been through organizations like the Red Cross and UNICEF has been sending relief to NK for years. And, NK emigrants all over the world has been sending funds and material to NK. And many countries all over the world including Japan has been closing their eys to such support as long as they are not considered for military application or listed in the prohibited items list.

So now an oil tanker which supplies the needed energy to NK is supposed to make a difference..?

And reporting to UN..?

It may be a good way to please the US, its allies and other nations and show that Japan is also participating in putting the pressure on NK.

But.., the entire effort really cause more people in NK and probably even SK to hate Japan. And by pointing a finger at China, the relationship is starting to strain more than ever.

Japan must back off.., regardless of US pressure...

Japan (Abe and the Jiminto) must not use the NK and China situation as a publicity stunt to change the constitution. Japan must use the facts worldwide to inform the nation and bring the people back into reality... then consider any changes...

The current world condition does call for Japan to properly defend itself in more ways than one.

To assist, the media must stop opining (using so called educated experts) and start reporting real facts backed up with relevant data as they do for natural disasters for the people to really be aware, understand and evaluate for themselves.

When North Korea was firing missiles over Japan, you were among the many who opposed military action and supported sanctions

never supported sanctions. It is collective punishment, just what Israel does to Gaza. And the were fired into international waters or space. Not japan.