Japan plans to tighten rules on companies that do business with North Korea in its latest measure to pressure the communist state after its missile tests, a newspaper said Monday.
Some 300 Japan-based companies would be required to disclose the destinations of goods that could benefit North Korea's military, even if the exports are to third countries, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
Japan, which has taken a hard line since the North test-fired seven missiles in its direction on July 5, considers the export controls a new sanction against impoverished Pyongyang, the daily said, quoting unnamed sources.
The government would list around 40 products that would be subject to export restrictions including large trucks and carbon fiber and could later extend the list if it wants to pressure North Korea further, the report said.
Japan has already banned a major North Korean ferry link, visits by diplomats and charter flights in response to the missile tests.
Tokyo also plans to impose financial sanctions. It has not announced details, but the restrictions could include banning North Koreans in Japan from sending money home.
North Korea conducts the vast majority of its trade with China and South Korea, although it has also benefited from remittances by Koreans in Japan.
Residents of Japan are known to have sent some three billion yen (25 million dollars) in cash and goods last year to North Korea, only 10 percent through bank transactions, according to Japan's finance ministry.
Japan spearheaded a unanimous UN Security Council resolution that slapped sanctions on North Korea's missile program.
South Korea, which is reconciling with its neighbor, has accused Japan of overstepping the UN resolution by imposing sanctions that target North Korea in general and not just its missile development.
