Tokyo- The Japanese government is considering stricter inspections of North Korean-related ships in response to recent missile launches by the reclusive state, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.

The government aims to allow Japan Coast Guard inspectors to carry out checks on cargoes that are suspected of being related to North Korea's nuclear and missile technologies even if they are not currently designated by government and ministerial ordinances.

The cargo inspections, which cover ships coming from and going to North Korean ports, is based on a UN Security Council resolution.

The JCG can inspect ships related to North Korea in Japanese territorial waters and on high seas, under a special law established in line with the UN resolution. But the inspection targets only items designated by ordinances.

While trying to ensure the effectiveness of the Security Council resolution, Japan will seek ways to implement sanctions against North Korea more effectively, Kishida said at a press conference.

Japan is also imposing its own sanctions against North Korea, which is continuing its provocative actions, including two ballistic missiles launched earlier this month.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida welcomed on Tuesday the latest UN Security Council press statement condemning North Korea's another missile firing.

The statement, released the day after the ballistic missile launch on Sunday, "demonstrates the international community's unified stance of not allowing North Korea to develop missiles and nuclear weapons," Kishida told a press conference after a cabinet meeting.

"Japan will work closely with the United States and South Korea to strongly urge the North to stop provocations and fully abide by UN Security Council resolutions," he said. (Jiji Press)