[Tintin Storm]

Why does Japanese media show great interest in the Russian Eastern Economic Forum?
The Eastern Economic Forum is held in Vladivostok every year. In 2017, it will be held from 6 to 7 September. One of the main tasks of the forum is a comprehensive expert assessment of the economic potential of the Russian Far East, as well as enhancing the competitiveness and investment attractiveness of the region, both at the Russian and international levels.
This event is widely covered by foreign media. This year, the Japanese state broadcasting corporation NHK takes a special interest in the Forum. Its attention to this forum is explained by the fact that Japan is extremely concerned about the recent economic rapprochement between Russia and the DPRK, especially, the opening of the Rajin-Vladivostok ferry since April. According to the Japanese government, thanks to this ferry communication, a new North Korean labor force is coming to Russia, and Russia supplies engines for North Korean ballistic missiles. In addition, Japan is disgruntled that Russia and China are supplying oil to North Korea.
Moscow and Beijing should support sanctions against the DPRK and stop oil supplies to the country, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono declared on September 3.
"This is almost the last option. Oil is necessary not only for missile launches, but also for the vital activity of the population of the DPRK. Oil supply to North Korea depends on Russia and China. These two countries need to agree to sanctions, "Kono said on the NHK television channel.
Earlier, Washington and Tokyo urged the world community to impose a ban on the export of oil to the DPRK regarding the missile launches of Pyongyang.
Also, the Japanese Foreign Minister believes that it is possible to reduce the number of North Korean workers abroad as a pressure on the DPRK.
"A lot of workers from the DPRK are abroad. In the future, consideration will be given to reducing their number, "Kono said.
This year, the Eastern Economic Forum will be attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. According to experts, this indicates that Russia and Japan are committed to the consistent implementation of their agreements. However, Japan's main goal is to persuade Russia to tighten the sanctions regime against the DPRK.
At this moment, Japan will not exert direct pressure on Russia, due to the growing potential of Russian-Japanese economic relations, in the development of which both sides are interested. However, Japan will try to expose Russia as the main facilitator in the development of the nuclear threat from North Korea through its media.
Thus, the NHK, fulfilling the will of the Japanese government, will cling to any new information related to the economic relations between Russia and the DPRK to prepare news material aimed at discrediting Russian trade policy with North Korea. It should be noted that Russia has repeatedly stated that excessive pressure on the DPRK only aggravates the difficult situation on the Korean peninsula, prompting North Korea to build up and develop its nuclear weapons.

[ThirdTerm]

At this moment, Japan will not exert direct pressure on Russia, due to the growing potential of Russian-Japanese economic relations, in the development of which both sides are interested. However, Japan will try to expose Russia as the main facilitator in the development of the nuclear threat from North Korea through its media.

It's not Russia but China is the main facilitator of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. China accepts hundreds of aspiring nuclear scientists from North Korea each year to study at Chinese universities, as reported by Wall Street Journal, which is a gross violation of the NPT. These North Korean students brought tens of thousands of academic papers on nuclear physics home. Russia officially refuses to support North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and supports international sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea (DPRK).

Behind North Korea's Nuclear Advance: Scientists Who Bring Technology Home
Wall Street Journal



HARBIN, China—When North Korea tested what it said was a domestically produced hydrogen bomb on Sunday—a week after launching its 18th ballistic missile of the year—it was a reminder of a conundrum at the heart of the country’s nuclear program. How has it advanced so rapidly despite concerted international efforts to keep weapons-related technology out of its hands?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/behind-nor ... 1504711605