Tokyo aims to resume ties with Pyongyang

Tokyo is trying to re-establish contact with Pyongyang. Japan is willing to consider the possibility of a top-level meeting in the case the situation with the abduction of Japanese citizens is resolved.

This was stated by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The last official meeting of the leaders of the two countries took place in 2002, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang for talks with Kim Jong-il.

Back then the North Korean side admitted the fact of abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea's secret services, and offered apologies.

Last week a surprise visit to Pyongyang was made by Isao Iijima, a senior aide on strategy to the Japanese Prime Minister.
According to Japanese observers, the purpose of the visit were negotiations on resuming contacts between the two countries, which have no diplomatic relations.