Hatoyama says Japan will normalize ties if N. Korea makes big move+

TOKYO, Oct. 23 Kyodo -
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said in a recent interview with a Thai newspaper
that he is willing to normalize Japan's diplomatic ties with North Korea if the
country makes a major move toward ditching its nuclear ambitions and solving
the abduction issue, a Japanese official told reporters Friday.

Ahead of Saturday's Japan-ASEAN summit, Hatoyama also said in the interview
with the Bangkok Post on Wednesday that development in the region is
''indispensable'' for global development and peace, according to the official.
In the 30-minute interview, Japan's new leader also reiterated his eagerness to
boost regional cooperation under his ''East Asia community'' concept,
envisioning a common currency.
Concerning the North Korean nuclear threat, Hatoyama was quoted as saying Japan
is willing to normalize its relations with the North in accordance with the
2002 Pyongyang Declaration if the country makes a decisive move toward settling
the problems of nuclear and missile development as well as its past abduction
of Japanese nationals through six-party talks.
To help boost development in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,
Hatoyama stressed the importance of bolstering internal demand in each country
and narrowing economic disparities in the region.
He indicated Japan's readiness to offer support to the region to help improve
infrastructure, foster human resources and create a mechanism to tackle global
warming, according to the Japanese official.
Hatoyama, the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, said his
government will continue to position its relations with the United States as
the cornerstone of its foreign policy, but added he believes relations of trust
between Japan and other Asian countries must be made stronger than ever before.
The DPJ has pledged to seek a more independent relationship with the United
States on a more equal footing, and strengthen its relations with China, South
Korea and other Asian nations.
In the envisaged East Asian community framework, he said Japan and other Asian
countries, which operate under different systems, should cooperate and develop
together in the areas of the economy, education and disaster management.
''Beyond that, floating the idea of launching a common currency is very
significant,'' he was quoted as saying.
He said he has no doubt China will continue to grow economically, but noted
Japan will not see its neighbor's rapid growth as a threat.
''It is important (for the two countries) to build up relations so we can join
hands for development and peace in the whole of East Asia,'' Hatoyama was
quoted as saying.
Hatoyama will be in Thailand from Friday through Sunday to hold a series of
summit talks with his Asian-Pacific counterparts.
The six-party framework also involves China, Russia, South Korea, and the
United States.
==Kyodo