TOKYO -- The U.S. and South Korea will be closely watching unofficial talks between Japanese and North Korean diplomats this week, hoping to find signs that the unpredictable Pyongyang regime is easing its isolationist stance.

Foreign ministry officials from the two countries will meet on the sidelines of a meeting between the Red Cross societies of Japan and North Korea in Shenyang, China. They are slated to discuss the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korea.

The reunion of the parents and grandchild of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota last week has raised hopes for dialogue. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Monday that his government plans to do its utmost to resolve the kidnapping issue.

But the U.S., which has been ratcheting up pressure on North Korea over its nuclear program and missile launches, is watching with concern. If Pyongyang softens its stance on the abductions in hopes of receiving support, Tokyo may break ranks with Washington and Seoul.

The back-channel contact with North Korea has irked the U.S., which was displeased about not receiving advance information about prior visits. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to say whether the U.S. and South Korea were contacted before this visit.

U.S. pressure, and the isolation that has resulted, have made North Korea more inclined to reach out to Japan. Another likely factor is Pyongyang's relations with Beijing, which have often been strained since the purge of pro-China official Jang Song Thaek.

Chinese special envoy Wu Dawei, who chaired six-nation talks on the nuclear issue, has arrived in North Korea, the Korean Central News Agency said Monday, a sign that Beijing is intent on preserving ties with Pyongyang.

China likely welcomes North Korea's openness to patching up ties with Japan, hoping it will open the door to not only further dialogue, but also another round of nuclear negotiations.

Japan will seek another investigation of the abductees in the meeting that begins Wednesday, aiming to obtain new information. During the reunion of Megumi Yokota's family, North Korea repeated its prior claim that Yokota herself has died, but Japan has not accepted this explanation.

(Nikkei)