TOKYO, DEC 14: In a major breakthrough in Japan-North Korea relations since the communist state fired a missile last year, Tokyo said on Tuesday that it was ending its freeze on food aid to North Korea.While announcing resumption of food aid, chief cabinet secretary Mikio Aoki said that Tokyo also hopes to start talks to set up diplomatic ties before the end of this year. "We think it's a good opportunity for Japan and North Korea to start a dialogue," Aoki said. Earlier this month, a delegation of Japanese lawmakers went to North Korea to meet top North Korean leaders.The testy relations between the two Asian neighbors chilled further when North Korea sent a missile soaring over Japan in August 1998. Japan decided at that time to suspend food aid to the impoverished country, which has been suffering extreme food shortages.Relations between Japan and North Korea began to thaw gradually only after the latter promised in September not to test any more missiles as long as dialogue continues with the UnitedStates.
