Japan backs UN action on N.Korea

TOKYO: Japan said Monday it supports Seoul”s push to punish North Korea at the UN Security Council for sinking a South Korean warship and is also studying more sanctions of its own against Pyongyang.

A multinational investigation last week found that a North Korean submarine torpedoed a South Korean corvette in March, killing 46 sailors.

Asked about Tokyo”s position, Japan”s top government spokesman Hirofumi Hirano said: “We strongly support South Korea.”

“It is assumed that Japan, the United States and South Korea will fully coordinate efforts,” he told a regular press conference. “We hope that China will come to share our view.”