Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's special adviser Isao Iijima says that he concluded working-level discussions with his North Korean counterparts needed for the resumption of talks on establishing bilateral diplomatic relations.

Iijima told reporters Thursday that basic discussion was completed during his recent visit to Pyongyang and whether to resume the stalled negotiations is now up to the prime minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

Iijima dismissed the speculation that Tokyo and Pyongyang could try to see progress on the issue through Japan’s foreign ministry. Expressing his doubts about a need to involve the ministry, the adviser hinted that the matter will take a higher level political decision from both sides about Japanese nationals abducted by the North.