Japan talks tough on NKorea before nuclear talks

Tokyo, Feb 6: Japan's tough policy of refusing aid to North Korea unless Pyongyang settles a feud over Japanese kidnapped decades ago could put Tokyo in a bind if talks this week make progress towards ending Pyongyang's nuclear arms programmes.

Analysts and diplomats have pointed to signs the impoverished state may be ready to agree to an initial deal over demands that it stop building a nuclear arsenal in exchange for energy aid at the six-way talks, which resume in Beijing on Thursday.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, though, reiterated today that unless the long-running dispute over the abducted Japanese is settled, Tokyo will not be offering assistance.

''Even if it is decided and we are asked to give our share, we have no intention of providing energy, food and money easily unless other issues are resolved,'' Aso told reporters today.

The matter of the abductees, spirited away from their homeland in the 1970s and 1980s to help train North Korean spies in Japanese language and culture, is an emotive one in Japan.

It is also high on the agenda of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who made his name by talking tough to Pyongyang and who is unlikely to soften that tone at a time when his public support rate is slipping ahead of an upper house election in July.

But Japan could be isolated from other partners at the talks if it keeps its tough stance, analysts said.

''If Japan does not provide aid, it will be isolated. If it does give aid, then it will face harsh public opinion,'' said Noriyuki Suzuki, chief analyst at Tokyo-based Radiopress news agency, which specialises in monitoring North Korean media.

''Japan is scared by the possibility of an agreement being reached at the six-party talks to provide energy aid to North Korea.'' North Korea admitted in 2002 that its agents had abducted 13 Japanese, sparking outrage in Japan.

Five of those were repatriated that same year, but Pyongyang says another eight are dead. Tokyo wants more information about the eight and four others it says were also kidnapped, and it wants survivors sent home.

Reuters