Japan parliamentary panels condemn North Korea n-test

Tokyo, Sep 14 (IANS) Japan, in separate resolutions adopted by two of its parliamentary committees, on Wednesday condemned North Korea for conducting its fifth nuclear test.

According to a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, North Korea's nuclear test was a "reckless" act.

The resolution said the act not only seriously challenged the international nuclear non-proliferation regime but also posed direct threat to Japan's national security, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Japanese government will seek to strengthen pressure over North Korea through unilateral measures as well as through the UN Security Council's responses, said the resolution.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said at the committee meeting that Japan will cooperate with international society to make North Korea "feel the price for its provocative acts".

The House of Councillors' Foreign and Defence Affairs Committee adopted a similar resolution later in the day.

North Korea carried out its fifth and most powerful atomic test on September 9, in which it reportedly detonated nuclear warheads that can be attached to its missiles.

Japan's Lower House and Upper House of the National Diet have passed resolutions earlier to condemn North Korea, following its previous four nuclear tests.