TOKYO, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressing his eagerness to hold talks with Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong Un reflects the leader's determination to settle unresolved issues and take steps towards potentially normalizing relations, Japan's top government spokesman said Tuesday.
At a press briefing on the matter, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said that Abe has stated that he wants to end "mutual distrust" and meet with Kim to resolve a number of matters.
"His alluding to a summit without conditions reflects that determination more clearly," Suga said.
The top government spokesman was referring to comments made by the Japanese premier following a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Abe told reporters Monday that in order to resolve issues, he would "need to face Chairman Kim without conditions."
The Japanese government in a seeming shift away from its fundamental policy towards the DPRK, which previously came with preconditions, has maintained, however that agreements made between the two countries in a bilateral declaration signed in 2002 remain in force.
The bilateral accord inked in 2002 maintains that both countries will seek to settle the DPRK's nuclear and missile ambitions, as well as to resolve the issue of Japanese nationals being abducted in the 1970s and 1980s.
In addition, the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration seeks the normalization of bilateral relations.
If the summit between Abe and Kim were to take place, it would be the first such summit between Tokyo and Pyongyang since 2004.
The abduction issue, previously claimed to be resolved by the DPRK, has been one of Abe's top priorities as prime minister.
Suga said that the Japanese government hopes to take the initiative and bold action on the issue, and not miss any chances for progress to be made with the DPRK.
He added that Abe expressing his straightforward willingness to hold an unconditional summit with Kim is a reflection of his determination to move forward with resolving outstanding issues with the DPRK.
