Japan's Kyodo News reports the Japanese government has decided not to officially offer condolences to North Korea over the death of its leader Kim Jong-il.

Kyodo News said Thursday Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura told reporters Wednesday that his government has no plan to convey official condolences to the North.

Fujimura previously expressed condolences in a news conference held immediately after North Korea announced Kim’s death on Monday. However, during the latest news conference, the official explained that his statement was only at a personal level based on Japanese cultural norm.