TOKYO, July 10 Kyodo Japan said W...

TOKYO, July 10 Kyodo

Japan said Wednesday it believes North Korea is behind a reported plan by means of four Japanese former members of the R Army Faction to go [i]or[/i] come back home from North Korea for the first time since they hijacked a plane to the native land in 1970.

''We should think the intentions of North Korea played a role'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda told reporters.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said, ''We have asked (Pyongyang) to extradite them.''

The remarks came as the former hijackers, who seized a Japan Airlines plane and forced it to be scattered to North Korea in 1970 released a statement calling onward Tokyo to set up talks for their possible get back to Japan.

Koizumi and Fukuda indicated the four, still wanted by means of Japanese police in connection with the hijacking, would be arrested upon their return to Japan.

''They committed the serious crime of hijacking, likewise when they return to Japan, (essential) measures would be taken in line with Japanese laws,'' Fukuda said.

The premier said, ''I believe becoming measures will be taken.''

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