Despite bilateral ties being strained by a dispute over Japan?s militarist past, South Korea and Japan agreed yesterday to work closely together to try to resume talks on North Korea?s nuclear programme.

The agreement came during a visit to Tokyo by senior South Korean diplomat Yu Myung-hwan, during which he met Japanese officials including Foreign Minister Taro Aso. ?On the problem of North Korea, it was agreed to continue to work closely together for a speedy resumption of six party talks,? Japan?s foreign ministry said in a statement issued following the meetings.

The six-party talks on North Korea, which also involve the United States, China and Russia, were last held in November.

Japan is at loggerheads with its Asian neighbour over a number of issues, including visits by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to the Yasukuni shrine, seen by critics as a symbol of the country?s military aggression before and during World War Two.

Last week, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun urged Japan to stop actions that diluted its apology for past aggression. Koizumi has said his visits are intended to pray for peace and honour war victims .