Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announces in Tokyo on Feb. 19, 2016, the government's decision to impose new sanctions on North Korea. (Photo: Kyodonews)

(VOVworld) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved Friday new sanctions against North Korea in response to its rocket launch and fourth nuclear test.

The steps included the ban on entry of all North Korean-registered ships into Japan and of third-country ships from entering Japan after visiting ports in North Korea.

Japan will also ban remittances 870 USD to North Korea.

On Saturday North Korea fired several artillery rounds into the sea near a disputed maritime border with South Korea. The firing took place a few days after Seoul announced that early next month South Korea and the US will begin an annual military maneuver on a large-scale.