A Japanese daily says North Korea presented a new proposal for energy aid at the six-way nuclear talks.

Quoting sources familiar with the nuclear talks, the Tokyo Shimbun said Monday that the North had offered on Sunday to lower its initial request of two million tons of heavy oil.

However, the report was quick to add that the revised amount of energy aid asked for by North Korea still far exceeded a level that the other participating nations could consider.

The paper said the Japanese Foreign Ministry has concluded that there is nothing really new about the North’s recent offer, as it has shown no significant change in Pyongyang’s basic position.