MONTEREY, Calif. -- The Japan Times on March 1 reported that Tokyo is reviewing its participation in the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization, or KEDO, program. If the Japanese government is giving serious thought to withdrawing from the program, it will not only exacerbate an already serious situation but also jeopardize a longer-term prospect of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

On the contrary, Japan should turn the current nuclear crisis in North Korea into an opportunity for forging comprehensive peace in Northeast Asia. The first step toward the latter is to take all measures to end North Korea's international isolation.

Whatever the outcome of the current crisis, a similar crisis is bound to return if the North is not brought out of its isolation. This means that any solution to be sought for the current crisis must be compatible with and linked to broader efforts at re-engaging North Korea with the world.