Japanese PM condemns North Korean nuclear test

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says in his national parliament speech that Japan will not tolerate a nuclear test by North Korea.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Wednesday (January 6) that Japan “cannot tolerate” North Korea’s latest nuclear test, and that firm action would be taken at the international level.

“North Korea’s nuclear test is a serious threat to our nation’s security and absolutely cannot be tolerated. We strongly denounce it,” he told parliament.

North Korea said it had successfully conducted a test of a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear device on Wednesday morning, which would mark a significant advance in the isolated state’s technological capability.

“Japan will take firm response, including at the U.N. Security Council, in cooperation with the United States, South Korea, China and Russia on this,” Abe added.

Wednesday’s detonation was North Korea’s fourth nuclear test, and second since Kim Jong Un came to power in 2011. The isolated country last tested a nuclear device in 2013. (Reuters)