Gird for reprisals by North, cops told

Japan must be on the alert for possible terrorist attacks by North Korea in response to sanctions imposed against Pyongyang over its nuclear test last week, a top police official warned Monday as government leaders considered additional punitive measures.

"There are concerns that North Korea may launch large-scale terrorist attacks or sly and heinous activities in retaliation to additional sanctions," said Hiroto Yoshimura, deputy director general of the National Police Agency.

Yoshimura was addressing the first meeting of a security task force that he heads since North Korea's Oct. 9 atomic test, according to NHK.

Yoshimura told task force members to step up security and intelligence efforts to head off possible retaliation by North Korea.

On Friday, Japan closed its ports to North Korean ships and banned trade with the North. The government is considering further sanctions in line with a United Nations resolution passed Saturday that authorizes sanctions in response to the test.

The import ban is expected to hinder Pyongyang's efforts to gain foreign currency and is aimed at disrupting its efforts to develop nuclear arms.

The ban on the entry by North Korean citizens took effect Wednesday after the steps were approved by the government's top security panel. The ban on port entries and imports were effective from midnight Friday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said Monday the government is studying what else can be added to the sanctions already in place.

"For sections under the UNSC resolution that have not been carried out by Japan, we hope to consider them promptly and decide on our future actions in line with the U.N. sanctions committee," Shiozaki said. "It is our natural obligation to fully implement the UNSC resolution."

Separately, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan will consider additional measures, "taking into consideration actions by the international community."