The Diet has reversed course and is now unlikely to approve a planned visit by five opposition lawmakers to North Korea, a senior official with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said Monday. "The prime minister's office said no," the official told reporters.
Former professional wrestler Antonio Inoki and four other Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Restoration Party) members' had planned a trip to North Korea at the end of April.
The government has asked citizens to refrain from visiting North Korea as part of its sanctions against the country and approving a trip by lawmakers could be interpreted as easing the sanctions. Japan has no diplomatic relations with North Korea.