Japan pledges closer ties with Korea

The leaders of Japan and South Korea have pledged to strengthen their cultural and human ties to make the forthcoming World Cup football tournament a success.

In a New Year message, the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, predicted that 2002 would be an historic year for the two countries as co-hosts of the event.

As a sign of its commitment, Japan has relaxed visa requirements for tourists visiting from South Korea.

Responding in a message to the Japanese people, President Kim Dae-Jung of South Korea spoke of the importance of dialogue and co-operation.

Relations between the two nations have improved since an agreement was reached last week in their long-running dispute over fishing rights.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service