A Japanese delegation headed by Kenichiro Sasae, director-general for
Asian and Oceanian Affairs of Japanese Foreign Ministry, arrived in Beijing
yesterday afternoon for the second phase of the fifth-round six-party talks.
"It is important that through this round of talks the DPRK (Democratic
People's Republic of Korea) will make a concrete step towards denuclearization,"
said Sasae outside his hotel.
He said Japan will cooperate and hold constructive talks with the other
sides, including China, the United States, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and
Russia.
Sasae said he has had detailed consultations with the U.S. delegation in
Tokyo and will meet Chinese, ROK and Russian delegations on Sunday, but so far
no bilateral talks between Japan and the DPRK have been arranged.
All the six parties involved in the talks have gathered in the Chinese
capital to attend the upcoming talks scheduled to start on Dec. 18.
