The relatives of Japanese abducted by Pyongyang said Tuesday they hope financial sanctions imposed against North Korea earlier in the day will result in progress on the issue.

"We can't negotiate with them without 'arms.' Use of financial sanctions will exert a large influence. I want the government to make use of all laws applicable," said Kenichi Ichikawa, 61, whose younger brother Shuichi disappeared at age 23 from a beach in Kagoshima Prefecture in 1978.

"There's been no progress at all though North Korea admitted to abductions four years ago."