Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone is hoping for a quick resolution of the issue concerning the two American journalists imprisoned in North Korea.

Nakasone made the remarks to reporters Tuesday as former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a surprise visit to the communist state in a bid to free the journalists.

The minister, however, declined to comment on the future course of the six-party nuclear talks after Clinton’s visit.

He also did not answer a question about whether he had advance knowledge of Mr. Clinton's visit.