Japan will make positive contribution to a possible substantive progress in the fourth six-party talks, said Sasae Kenichiro, head of the Japanese delegation and director general of the Asia and Oceanian Affairs Bureau of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Tuesday in Beijing.

He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the fourth round of six-party talks on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.

Sasae Kenichiro said, "Japan believes the six-party talks is the best framework for the peaceful settlement of the Korean nuclear issue."

The Japanese delegation will cooperate with the other five delegations closely with a flexible and constructive attitude in pushing forward the six-party talks, he added.

In his speech at Tuesday's opening ceremony, Sasae Kenichiro also urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to completely abandon all of its nuclear programs. The abandonment will be in conformity with the common aspiration of the international community and with DPRK's own interest, Sasae Kenichiro said.

He noted that to resolve the Korean nuclear issue is a precondition for Japan to normalize its relationship with DPRK. Other preconditions include settlement of missile and abduction issues, according to Sasae Kenichiro.

Source: Xinhua