Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met U.S. President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the annual Group of Eight summit in the United States on Tuesday.

Japan's Kyodo News Agency said Koizumi had told Bush that North Korea wants to engage in direct dialogue with the United States on the nuclear issue. The Japanese leader was also quoted as saying that he detected a growing willingness from North Korea to consider dismantling its nuclear weapons program.

Koizumi said North Korean leader Kim Jong-il had also expressed worry over Washington's perceived hostile policy against Pyongyang and that North Korea does not want nuclear weapons.

A White House official said Koizumi and Bush agreed that "the best way to explore and see" whether North Korea is sincere about giving up its nuclear arms would be the next round of six-party nuclear talks.