Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said Sunday the Japanese government will tighten its cargo inspections to prevent potential diversion of items to North Korea for use in its nuclear and missile development programs.

In a speech in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kishida said by the end of the month the government plans to begin targeting for strengthened inspections third country cargo ships that could enter North Korean ports.

The measure is in line with a sanctions resolution on North Korea adopted in March 2016 by the U.N. Security Council. It is believed that some electronic home appliances have been diverted for use in military applications in North Korea.

"We will strengthen further regulations on cargo between North Korea and third countries," Kishida said. "I have instructed the work (for necessary ordinance revision) be completed, hopefully by the end of this month," he added.

Currently, the government maintains a list of items that could be linked with nuclear and missile development and the Japan Coast Guard inspects ships which may be thought to be carrying such items.

The planned revision of the relevant ordinance will empower the Coast Guard to inspect ships and seize suspected items, even those not included on the government inspection list, if it concludes items may be diverted for use by North Korea's military.

Japan has no diplomatic relations with North Korea.