Tokyo - Japan extended sanctions against North Korea Friday, banning port calls of North Korean-registered vessels and all imports of goods from the country for another six months, local media reported.

The sanctions, which were to expire on Monday, were extended due to the lack of progress in North Korea's denuclearization and the lack of resolution over its abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, Kyodo news agency reported.

Approved by the Cabinet on Friday morning, Japan will also continue to deny entry to all North Korean nationals, except for those who are residents of Japan, and prohibit the export of luxury goods to North Korea.

It is the fourth extension since the sanctions were first imposed two years ago following North Korea's nuclear test and test-launch of ballistic missiles over the Sea of Japan earlier in 2006.

Prime Minister Taro Aso, in office for a month, was foreign minister in 2006 when Japan began the sanctions. He pledged last week to relatives of the missing abductees that he will make all-out efforts on the issue and noted that it is "a fight against time." (dpa)