September 23, 2018
Japan Ministry of Defense
１．The Government of Japan has notified the UN Security Council 1718 Sanctions Committee and shared information with relevant countries whenever it detects North Korean-flagged vessels suspected of violating North Korea-related UN Security Council Resolutions and engaging in illegal maritime activities, such as ship-to-ship transfers, in order to ensure the full implementation of these resolutions. The MOD/SDF have monitored vessels suspected of violating the UN Security Council resolutions to prevent ship-to-ship transfers and have publicized10 strongly suspected cases since January 2018. In addition, the MOD has recently posted a video on its website to present the status of the MOD/SDF’s response to ship-to-ship transfers for the public and the people of overseas countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCOduAxZ374
２．Japan welcomes that the U.S. and partner countries announced coordination of multinational efforts against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs. The following is Japan’s view on these efforts.
(1) As announced on September 7 and 22, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, in addition to the U.S. have decided again to engage in monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs, based in Kadena Air Base from the middle of September. Japan welcomes the deployment of patrol aircraft from Australia, New Zealand and Canada to engage in the activities. Japan also welcomes that U.S. and partner countries deployed the surface vessels for monitoring and surveillance activities.
(Reference)
Patrol aircrafts of Australia and Canada engaged in monitoring and surveillance activities, based in Kadena Air Base for about a month from late April. In addition, British Royal Navy frigate HMS SUTHERLAND conducted monitoring activities on the high seas around Japan in early May.
(2) Japan considers it is significant that Japan, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom and France are sharing information and coordinating efforts as part of the multinational effort to ensure that UNSCRs are implemented fully and effectively.
(3) Japan will ensure effectiveness of the relevant UNSCRs while maintaining the solidarity of international community for the realization of North Korea’s dismantlement of all WMD and ballistic missiles in a complete, verifiable, and irreversible manner. The Government of Japan and the U.S. Government shared the view that North Korea has breached the 2018 annual cap for refined petroleum products established by UNSCR. To have all United Nation member states immediately stop supplying refined petroleum products to North Korea, Japan will work with the United States and other partner countries to strengthen the response to ship-to-ship transfers.