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Japanese PM doubts need of strenghening sanctions against N Korea

TOKYO, July 30 (PNA/Sputnik) -- Pyongyang has officially admitted to abducting 13 Japanese citizens from 1977 to 1983. It released five of the detainees in 2002 and 2004, claiming that the remaining eight had died. Earlier this year, Tokyo extended the trade embargo against Pyongyang and the ban on DPRK ships entering Japanese ports for two more years, as North Korea delayed reporting on the abduction investigation.

In July 2014, North Korea launched a probe over the missing Japanese nationals, victims of the 1970s and 1980s kidnappings, as well as children and spouses of repatriated North Koreans. In response to the establishment of an investigation committee by North Korea, Japan agreed to ease some unilateral sanctions on Pyongyang.

Japan has consistently urged North Korea to release its hostages, believing that hundreds more may have been abducted.

Earlier this month, Japanese media reported that Tokyo and Pyongyang held secret talks in Mongolia over the fate of the abducted. (PNA/Sputnik)

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