Japan rejected North Korea's demand Friday to drop new economic sanctions over the North's Wednesday missile launches, ignoring Pyongyang's threat of "stronger measures" and "devastating consequences" unless it reversed its decision.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe, speaking at a a news conference, expressed indignation at the threat, calling it "very regrettable."
"We would like (the North) to think about who brought about the current relationship. The abductions, the nuclear (arms) and the missile issues -- North Korea has caused all of them," the top government spokesman said, calling on the international community to put more pressure on the reclusive state.