Japanese media have covered the difference in opinions between Seoul and Tokyo over Japan’s hopes to create an environment for direct dialogue between Japan and North Korea this year.

The Asahi Shimbun said Sunday that Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara’s calls for such direct talks have drawn protests from South Korea, noting that the South has repeatedly shown a cautious stance toward seeking dialogue with the North due to conservative public opinion. Maehara made the remark when he held talks with his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan in Seoul on Saturday.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun said Maehara’s statements suggest that Japan is seeking to establish an independent channel with the North and not leave all issues related to the North up to China.

However, the Japanese media were quick to urge Tokyo to work to act in concert with Seoul, saying the South Korea-Japan relationship should not be damaged due to such differences in opinion.