The families of five Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents urged the government on Tuesday to take a firm stance against Pyongyang by imposing economic sanctions.

The request to the Foreign Ministry came six months to the day after the abductees were returned to Japan.

Their children remain in North Korea, and bilateral negotiations to bring them to Japan remain stalled.

The Foreign Ministry has refused to commit to sanctions over the matter, saying that North Korea is showing signs of compromise.

In another dispute, Pyongyang on Saturday said it will consider any form of dialogue with the United States. The remarks indicated a softening of its previous position that it would only seek bilateral talks with Washington.

"The government is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter peacefully," Tetsuro Yano, senior vice foreign minister, said. "We are not considering imposing economic sanctions."

The families also called on the ministry to make it its responsibility to bring the children of the five repatriates to Japan as soon as possible.

The group expressed anger over statements made by Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi earlier in the day, in which she said history is separating the former abductees from their children.

"It is a reckless remark made by a person lacking