Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government will extend its sanctions against North Korea

Japan will extend its sanctions against North Korea for two more years after they expire on April 13.

Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the decision was in response to North Korea's failure to provide a report on its investigation into abductions of Japanese decades ago.

He urged North Korea to promptly and honestly report its findings.

Japan bans North Korean-registered ships from entering its ports except for humanitarian reasons. It also bans chartered flights between the countries.

North Korea agreed last May during talks in Sweden, to reinvestigate the abductions in the 1970s and 1980s.

It also promised a probe into all Japanese nationals living in North Korea. In exchange, Japan agreed to ease some sanctions, including restrictions on travel between the countries.