Japan plans to extend its sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for two more years when they expire on April 13, after failing to get promised updates on an investigation into the kidnapping of Japanese citizens decades ago, the government spokesman said on Tuesday.

"At this point, we are asking North Korea to ensure it quickly conducts the investigation into the abductions and other areas and make sure they report to us," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. "The results need to be shared quickly and informatively."

Suga said Japan had decided that keeping the sanctions in place would be the "most effective approach" in handling the situation.