Australia and New Zealand will provide support to Japan’s Ministry of Defense in monitoring North Korea’s illicit maritime activities, Tokyo said on Friday.

The two countries will provide support aircraft to the operation, helping Japanese forces which have observed numerous instances of sanctioned North Korean trade at sea.

“Partner countries, in addition to the U.S., have decided again to engage in monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities, including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels prohibited by UNSCRs,” a statement from Japan’s foreign ministry said.

“At present, Australia and New Zealand are planning to deploy patrol aircraft and engage