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Japanese pinballing for North Korean nukes

Revenues from a popular form of pinball loved by the Japanese, Pachinko, is thought to be a “vital source of hard currency for the impoverished regime in North Korea.” The Pachinko industry in Japan, which is run by ethnic Koreans, brings in about $200 billion a year, but it is unclear how much of the ...

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605812_pachinko5.jpg
605812_pachinko5.jpg

Revenues from a popular form of pinball loved by the Japanese, Pachinko, is thought to be a "vital source of hard currency for the impoverished regime in North Korea." The Pachinko industry in Japan, which is run by ethnic Koreans, brings in about $200 billion a year, but it is unclear how much of the profits make their way to North Korea. Japan recently banned the Mangyonbong ferry from its ports, a move that it believes will deal a crucial blow against money that is hand-carried from Japan to North Korea. While the link between Pachinko and North Korea is making many Japanese uneasy,

Revenues from a popular form of pinball loved by the Japanese, Pachinko, is thought to be a “vital source of hard currency for the impoverished regime in North Korea.” The Pachinko industry in Japan, which is run by ethnic Koreans, brings in about $200 billion a year, but it is unclear how much of the profits make their way to North Korea. Japan recently banned the Mangyonbong ferry from its ports, a move that it believes will deal a crucial blow against money that is hand-carried from Japan to North Korea. While the link between Pachinko and North Korea is making many Japanese uneasy,

officials in the pachinko industry say North Korea’s image problems and the sanctions have not been a business issue.

Tags: East Asia, North Korea

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