The lack of progress in the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear weapons underscores Japan's growing difficulties in trying to defuse the crisis and resolve the abduction issue.
The frustration has prompted some high-ranking Japanese officials to even question the worth of the six-party talks. They're now beginning to discuss the possibility of seeking further economic sanctions against North Korea outside the talks' framework.
"I think there is no choice but to take tougher measures," said a senior Foreign Ministry official.