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TOKYO - Japan on Tuesday decided to impose a ban on exporting luxury goods to North Korea in a move experts say could hit the ruling elite, whose lavish lifestyle is in stark contrast to that of most citizens of the impoverished communist state.
Japan's cabinet approved bans on exports of 24 kinds of luxury goods to North Korea including cars, wrist-watches, liquor, cigarettes, jewellery, perfume and caviar.
The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution that among other measures blocks trade with North Korea in luxury goods following Pyongyang's nuclear test on October 9.
"We have decided to take measures to ban exports of luxury goods to North Korea in response to the (UN Security Council) resolution," Foreign Minister Taro Aso told Tuesday's cabinet meeting.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has long been known for his fondness for cognac and is said to have a wine cellar with space for 10,000 bottles.
South Korean intelligence officials familiar with Kim's habits say the biggest gifts for top North Korean cadres are cars, with Mercedes-Benz the top choice. Pianos and camcorders are also popular.
"The measures are designed to block the transfer from Japan of goods that we assume will be used by North Korean leaders for themselves or supplied by the leaders," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki told reporters.
He said the items accounted for 15.9 per cent, or 1.09 billion yen of Japan's total exports to North Korea worth 6.88 billion yen in 2005.
Shiozaki said Japan had decided not to include in the list of banned items daily necessities used by ordinary people in North Korea.
"I hope the ban will be effective as a strong message from the international community to the leaders of North Korea's government and party," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters.
Japan first imposed punitive measures after Pyongyang fired off a barrage of test missiles in July and stepped them up after its nuclear test. They include a ban on imports and a prohibition on North Korean ships entering Japanese ports.
Japan's total two-way trade with North Korea amounted to some US$180 million ($273 million) in 2005, about half the 2002 figure.
Shiozaki said Japan would urge other countries to take punitive measures against North Korea in line with the UN Security Council resolution.
Aso said it was important for the international community to convey its unified messages "accurately" to North Korea.
North Korea said recently it would return to six-party talks on ending its nuclear programmes.
But Japan said it would maintain its sanctions on North Korea despite Pyongyang's agreement to return to the talks, which bring together North and South Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.
Tokyo said the sanctions would not be lifted until the communist state committed to abandoning its nuclear ambitions and settled a dispute over Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s to help train spies.
A survey of 1042 Japanese voters conducted on November 9-11 and released on Tuesday by NHK public broadcaster showed nearly 70 per cent of respondents supported the government's decision.
- REUTERS
