A pro-North Korean newspaper in Japan says the North Korean government has presented a wider variety of goods to the public on the occasion of its leader Kim Jong-il's birthday on Friday.

The online edition of the Choson Sinbo published by the pro-North General Association of Korean Residents in Japan says so-called "birthday gifts" from the North Korean leader have become more diverse and of better quality this year.

North Koreans get special rations on major holidays and the birthdays of their leader and his late father, national founder Kim Il-sung.

The report said that by last Thursday Pyongyang citizens received about ten food items and other necessities, including liquor, beer, soda, oil, flour taffy, crackers and gum.