Publication

This paper finds that after the end of the Cold War Japan has attempted to re-approach North Korea in order to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. The author suggests that it is necessary for Japan to establish regular channels of diplomatic contact and communication with North Korea although these efforts have not settled in any major bilateral issue yet. He believes that in spite of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's bold desire to normalize diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Pyongyang, further progress is up to Kim Jong-Il's willingness to abandon North Korea's nuclear weapons program and to solve other issues.