"The kidnapping issue is recognized as an important matter in the international community and we are going to discuss that," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told reporters.

Fukuda was speaking after being briefed by two senior diplomats who returned Saturday from a three-day visit to Pyongyang to discuss the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean spy agents in the 1970s and 1980s.

Later, the diplomats briefed Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who held a landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il on September 17, 2002.

"The kidnapping and nuclear issues are very important. I want you to work very hard," Koizumi was quoted by Jiji Press news agency as telling the diplomats.

To reporters, the prime minister said: "It is not easy" to deal with North Korea.

Although the Japanese diplomats and North Korean officials failed to make any progress in the three-day talks except to agree to continue dialogue, Fukuda said Japan is determined to settle the issue as soon as possible.

Japan "will make its utmost efforts to resolve this issue at an early time," Fukuda said.

But North Korea said Saturday it will oppose the participation of Japan in the upcoming talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, Russia and China, if Tokyo brings up the kidnapping subject on the talks agenda.

WAR.WIRE