Japan will extend its sanctions on North Korea, which expire on April 13th, for another six months.

Japanese daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun said Tokyo believes it is necessary to continue to pressure Pyongyang amid the lack of progress in the nuclear and the Japanese abductees issues.

Sanctions were first imposed following North Korea's nuclear test in October 2006. The latest is the sanctions' fifth extension.

Japan is also reviewing additional sanctions if the North goes ahead with what it claims is a satellite launch.

Current sanctions completely ban bilateral exchange of personnel, money and products, including the entry of a North Korean passenger-cargo vessel Mangyongbong to Japanese ports.