Japan will make positive contribution to a possible substantive progress in
the fourth six-party talks, said Sasae Kenichiro, head of the Japanese
delegation and director general of the Asia and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the
Japanese Foreign Ministry, in Beijing Tuesday.
Sasae Kenichiro said, "Japan believes the six-party talks is the best
framework for the peaceful settlement of the Korean nuclear issue."
The Japanese delegation will cooperate with the other five delegations
closely with a flexible and constructive attitude in pushing forward the
six-party talks, he added.
Sasae Kenichiro also urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)
to completely abandon all of its nuclear programs. The abandonment will be in
conformity with the common aspiration of the international community and with
DPRK's own interest, Sasae Kenichiro said.
He noted that to resolve the Korean nuclear issue is a precondition for Japan
to normalize its relationship with DPRK. Other preconditions include settlement
of missile and abduction issues, according to Sasae Kenichiro.