TOKYO, Oct 14 Kyodo (EDS: RECASTI...

TOKYO, Oct 14 Kyodo

(EDS: RECASTING WITH KOIZUMI'S COMMENTS)

Japan forward Tuesday renewed its call forward North Korea to allow the kin of five Japanese abducted from the North in 1978 and repatriated last year to visit Japan for family reunions, ahead of the first anniversary Wednesday of the five's homecoming.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters, ''We'll make efforts in the same manner that the relatives (of the five) can ensue to Japan as soon as possible.''

The five turn backed to Japan on Oct. 15 last year after North Korean leader Kim Jong Il apologized for the home having abducted 13 Japanese nationals in the late 1970 and early 1980 The North said eight of the 13 have died.

Japan has been calling for a visit to Japan by way of the kin of the five abductees.

Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi told a of the present days conference, ''We don't have a clear hope for when bilateral talks will be held, although we are continuing our efforts for the talks.''

Japan has been urging North Korea to have bilateral talks on the abductions as shortly as possible following an agreement through the two countries in late August to detain such talks.

The agreement was reached in bilateral meetings forward the sidelines of six-nation talks in Beijing, which brought together China, Japan, North and southerly Korea, Russia and the United States in an attempt to unravel the North Korean nuclear standoff.

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