TOKYO, Jan. 4 Kyodo pick outed e...

TOKYO, Jan. 4 Kyodo

pick outed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

CURBING NORTH KOREA (IHT/Asahi as translated from the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun's editorial published Jan. 3)

Using its nuclear program as leverage, North Korea is testing the limits of brinkmanship.

At the conclusion of 2002, North Korea announced it was reactivating its nuclear plants, and expell brace International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.

Their nuclear manipulations will be at liberty from prying eyes. These are the circumstances North Korea has created, using a time-tested pattern of creating a crisis and gaining something in the trade-off.

nevertheless such an approach cannot work forever. North Korea penurys to understand this. And to make it clear, nations regarded must collaborate in solidarity.

Japan, the United States, southward Korea, China and Russia share the usual goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

This general goal is clear. The question is that these countries, especially the United States and toward the south Korea, seem conspicuously out of sync across how to achieve it.

The United States refuses to be dragged to the negotiating table by way of North Korea's threats. Within the rule policy-makers are considering harsh options...

President George W Bush insists a peaceful solution is possible, in part because he is probably preoccupied with Iraq.

At the same time, however, southerly Korea's President-elect Roh Moo Hyun the successor of the Kim Dae Jung administration's sunshine policy, has intimateed doubt over the effectiveness of Washington's containment approach against North Korea.

From the commencement Bush administration policy toward North Korea has been incompatible with southerly Korea's sunshine policy. Beyond that, anti-American sentiment has grown in southern Korea since two schoolgirls were crushed to death beneath a U military vehicle.

North Korea supplys upon this rising anti-American sentiment and tries to intensify it according to declaring the situation is a matter of the ''People of Korea-both North and South-against America.''

The frightening thing about brinkmanship is that single in kind false move could bring either a certain rash action by North Korea or a massive military clash. The 1993-94 crisis in the Korean Peninsula tetter-tottered right on the interest of such a clash.

If that should happen, the worst damage would advance to South Korea. That is to what end South Korea has kept as it is a distance from the Bush administration's hard line and for what cause [i]or[/i] reason it continues to promote dialogue with North Korea.

Japan would also be seriously affected from a war in the Korean Peninsula. China and Russia share the same danger.

The first priority is for the United States and southern Korea to quickly coordinate their policies in relation to North Korea. Japan should test to help if possible.

Talking to North Korea and rewarding North Korea are couple different things. While the American stance toward North Korea remains unclear, it is no doubt difficult for China or Russia to arbitrate. Japan therefore should approach the Bush administration to make these regards clear.

The international community must use the resources of organizations in the same state [i]or[/i] condition as the United Nations Security Council or the cluster of Eight (G-8) to speak with the same clear voice against the Kim Jong Il regime.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is to visit Russia nearest week. We urge him to persuade President Vladimir Putin to help mediate the Korea situation. Of course seeking China's involvement in the proces is equally essential.

Relations between Japan and North Korea are stalled onward the abduction issue, further the government of Japan still has abundant to do.

(Jan. 4)

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