In response to North Korea's plans to launch an "Earth observation satellite" this month, Japan has decided to postpone two days of bilateral talks that were slated with the Stalinist state this week in Beijing.
"I have determined it will be difficult to hold the meeting from a comprehensive standpoint, and I informed the other party of my postponement decision" through a diplomatic channel, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters Saturday.
Noda made the announcement after consulting with key ministers on the development, including Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto and Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura.