Jepang menolak mendanai kesepakatan itu, berdasarkan mana Korea Utara akan menerima bantuan bahan bakar, karena Jepang secara emosional tetap menuduh perselisihan atas penculikan sejumlah warga Jepang oleh Pyongyang di waktu lampau.
Japan has refused to fund the deal, under which North Korea would receive badly needed fuel aid, due to an emotionally charged row over Pyongyang's past abductions of Japanese citizens.