In an apparent compromise to China and Russia, Japan intends to draw up a U.N. draft resolution that condemns North Korea's July 5 missile test-launches but may not include strong measures such as sanctions, which Tokyo had earlier pushed, several government officials said Thursday.
"What is important is to adopt a binding resolution," a senior Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity, suggesting Japan could back down from its position to push for a sanctions resolution, which it presented last week, in the face of opposition from China and Russia, North Korea's main allies.
Tokyo's compromise comes after China and Russia, two veto-wielding permanent U.N. Security Council members, presented an alternative draft U.N. resolution on Wednesday that includes no sanctions.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.