Foreign Minister Yohei Kono reiterated Tuesday that the issue of alleged abductions of Japanese by North Korea must be resolved if Tokyo and Pyongyang aim to improve relations, a Foreign Ministry official said. Kono addressed Japan's long-standing concern over the abduction issue in his talks Tuesday at the ministry with Strobe Talbott, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State. While underlining the need to normalize Japanese-North Korean relations, which have been strained in the last half a century, Kono said, "Settling the abduction issue is unavoidable if we are to advance our relations," the official quoted him as saying. Expressing understanding of Kono's concern, Talbott said he appreciates the close policy coordination among Japan, South Korea and the U.S. in dealing with North Korea, the official said. Talbott arrived in Japan on Tuesday to exchange views with Japanese officials on their common international concerns. He is scheduled to leave for China today. Aichi plans to reconsider expo Trade chief Takashi Fukaya said Tuesday he and Aichi Gov. Masaaki Kanda will discuss revisions to plans for the World Expo 2005 today in Tokyo in order to meet environmental concerns. The meeting follows working-level discussions held last week in Paris between officials of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) and a Japanese delegation from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Aichi Prefecture and the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition. During the two days of discussions, the BIE reiterated the need for Japan to step up efforts to make the expo consistent with its environment-friendly theme by seeking support of interested parties, including environmental groups. While urging Japan to promptly submit the revised plan and prepare necessary documents for registration, BIE officials said they intend to re-examine the prefecture's plan to build a housing complex on the expo site after the event -- the sticking point with BIE and environmentalists. "We explained to the BIE that the housing complex plan is different from (our) conventional land development, as we pay due heed to conservation of the surrounding forest, water and environment for the fauna and flora," Fukaya told Tuesday's news conference. "Both sides agreed ... to make every effort for a successful Aichi expo," he said. Both sides have withheld details of the two-day dialogue. Fukaya said he is expected to receive an interim report from the Aichi governor today regarding the prefecture's progress in revising the plan and its outlook on the expo. Fukaya went on to say Japan will register the expo plan at the BIE general assembly in May as planned, while considering the BIE suggestions.
