In Tokyo, Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said that the DPRK was moving forward on the abductions, an issue of deep concern for many Japanese voters. "This is progress," he told reporters.

Japan said it won assurances to inspect sites and conduct interviews inside the Korean state for signs of survivors among citizens snatched in the 1970s and 1980s.

The two countries held two days of talks in the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang that closed on early August 13 with a goal of wrapping up a fresh investigation this autumn.

Analysts said the deal could give fresh impetus to international efforts to end the DPRK's nuclear drive. Japan has refused to give aid to Pyongyang until the emotionally charged kidnapping issue is resolved.