Japan extends economic sanctions on North Korea

TOKYO, April 11 (Reuters) - Japan on Friday extended economic sanctions on North Korea for another six months, with the top government spokesman citing the lack of a breakthrough on Pyongyang's nuclear programmes and its past abductions of Japanese citizens.

Tokyo first imposed sanctions in October 2006 after North Korea undertook a nuclear test and test launched ballistic missiles.

Six-party talks aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions have stalled pending North Korea's full accounting of nuclear activities, including the plutonium that powered its first and only nuclear test blast in October 2006. [ID:nSEO196265]