The Japanese government has again decided to propose to South Korea that the territorial dispute over the Dokdo islets be sent to the International Court of Justice.

In a Cabinet meeting on the Dokdo issue Tuesday morning, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda demanded that South Korea be careful and thoughtful before making responses to the Japanese proposal for the sake of the two nation’s relations.

Noda expressed deep regret over South Korean President’s latest visit to Dokdo. But he added that Japan needs to firmly and resolutely respond to South Korea’s recent actions regarding the Dokdo issue.

The Japanese government also decided in the Cabinet meeting to demand that South Korea agree to bilateral negotiations over the Dokdo islets in accordance with a agreement on the settlement of disputes the two countries exchanged in 1965.