A Japanese daily says the U.S. government is considering allowing the North Korean national orchestra to hold a performance in the United States.

The Yomiuri Shimbun said Wednesday that a performance by the North Korean orchestra would reciprocate the New York Philharmonic Orchestra's performance in Pyongyang in February 2008.

The report added that the North made the proposal for the performance through a private organization in the U.S. and that the State Department has begun discussing visa issuances.

The daily also said that a policy research institute tied to the State Department is planning to invite high-level officials of the North’s foreign ministry to the U.S. and that Washington is aiming to realize the visits by the North Korean officials and the orchestra this spring.

The report also said that the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama is apparently making preparations through private-sector diplomacy to get Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-way nuclear talks.