Japanese media say Tokyo's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will open a "Korea department" exclusively devoted to Korean affairs on April first.

Jiji Press News says opening a department charged with trade and industrial policies concerning a single trade partner is unusual.

The Korea department is expected to focus on resuming bilateral talks to forge a Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and study Korean companies for their world class competitiveness in fields like electronics.

The ministry will staff the department with four to five members and is revising related laws for its formation.