Japan Proposes New Talks With North

The Japanese government has made a proposal to North Korea to resume ambassador-level negotiations.

The Japanese press reported yesterday that Akitaka Saiki, deputy head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry`s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau told such plans to reporters at a North Korea-Japan staff meeting held in Beijing, China on November 3-4.

On the night of November 7, deputy chief Saiki explained to the families of Japanese abductees the outcome of the conference and told reporters of his proposal to make three subcommittees dealing with Japanese abductees, nuclear and missile programs, and diplomatic ties, and to simultaneously continue negotiations with the North in these areas.

The North Korean response to Japan’s proposal has not been received yet.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com