Japan reportedly weighs summit with DPRK top leader

Japan is reportedly considering seeking a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Kim Jong-un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as Tokyo struggles to stay relevant in fast-moving diplomacy with Pyongyang.

Officials in Tokyo would not confirm on Wednesday the reports of a potential shift in Japan's policy, but government spokesman Yoshihide Suga also declined to explicitly deny a summit was being explored.

"What is important is that the three countries, Japan, the US and South Korea, continue to closely coordinate policies," he said at a regular briefing.

"We wish to make progress on our efforts to reach a comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile ... and as part of that, we will review our way forward from the perspective of the most effective approach."

There has been no public suggestion from any side of an Abe-Kim summit.

But Japan's Kyodo and Jiji Press agencies both reported the possibility was being studied after Tokyo found itself on the back foot with the surprise announcement last week that US President Donald Trump would meet with Kim later this year.

AFP

(China Daily 03/15/2018 page12)