Japan steps up patrols as boats thought to be from N. Korea found

Japan is stepping up patrols and urging local authorities and fishermen to be on the alert after several boats thought to be from North Korea were found on its northern coast. Some of the boats contained dead bodies. “The coastguard and police have to cooperate to step up sea patrols around Japan,” Yoshihide Suga, chief government spokesman, said on Tuesday. “The government intends to improve this to ensure we can guard against suspicious boats or people arriving in Japan,” Suga added, according to AP. He said that local authorities, fishermen and coastal residents should report sightings of any suspicious boats or people.