Japan on Monday welcomed what appeared to be a softening in North Korea's stance toward multilateral talks on its suspected nuclear weapons program.

"It's a favorable move," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told a news conference.

"It shows (North Korea) has become somewhat flexible toward solving the problem."

Fukuda was referring to Pyongyang's comment Saturday that suggested a significant shift from its wish to hold talks solely with Washington and toward a more multilateral dialogue.

"If the U.S. is ready to make a bold switch in its Korea policy for a settlement of the nuclear issue, (North Korea) will not stick to any particular dialogue format," the official Korean Central News Agency quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman as saying.

In Washington on Sunday, Bush called the comment "progress" and said the best way to deal with North Korea is through multinational dialogue.

"It looks like that might be coming to fruition," Bush was quoted as saying at the White House.

In Tokyo, U.S. Ambassador Howard Baker indicated Monday that further progress could be expected within a few days.

"I've been encouraged by newspaper accounts that North Korea appears to suggest that they no longer insist on bilateral negotiations, but perhaps (accept) some other form of multilateral arrangement," he said.

"Maybe in a few days we'll understand better what that means."

Baker reiterated Washington's position that the U.S. has no intention of using military force against North Korea.