Japan will provide energy aid to North Korea in cooperation with the U.S. and South Korea if substantial progress is made in getting Pyongyang to abandon its alleged nuclear program in upcoming multilateral talks, according to government sources.
But the move is likely to draw criticism and opposition; some lawmakers in both the ruling and opposition camps believe Japan should not give any aid to North Korea as long as there is no progress in resolving the abduction issue.
The six-party nuclear talks are scheduled to begin Tuesday in Beijing.