Visiting Cuban President Fidel Castro told Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Sunday that he is willing to play a role in resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, government officials said.

He made the comments during an afternoon meeting at the Iikura House in Tokyo. The foreign ministers of the two countries were also present.

"If there is anything I can do, I am prepared to do so within the capabilities of what can be done," Japanese government officials quoted Castro as saying.