The announcement that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will visit North Korea on 17 September has been received with surprise and a degree of optimism by the media in Japan and the Koreas.

It was "more than anyone could have expected," South Korean daily Choson Ilbo remarks.

North Korea's official state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) notes that "abnormal relations" have persisted between North Korea and Japan because of the failure to settle the historic issues between them.

The visit "will mark an important occasion in settling the issues between the two countries and normalizing bilateral relations," it says.

Hasty decision

In Japan, the papers speak of mixed reactions to the announcement, and suggest that the decision was "hastily taken".

"The abruptness of the announcement left many wondering why it is to be held now," Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun remarks.

The daily, Mainichi Shimbun, reports that the ruling party is generally "unsettled" by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's "sudden decision to visit North Korea".

Under the circumstances, Koizumi has apparently judged the summit with Kim as the only way to achieve a breakthrough

Jiji Press news agency

It quotes a senior official of the Liberal Democratic Party as saying: "It's fine if all goes well, but I think there will be more harm than benefits. Why is he doing it?"

According to the paper, only a few senior officials who have worked for Japan-North Korea negotiations welcome the move wholeheartedly.

The Japanese news agency Jiji Press is uncertain that any major breakthrough will be made at "this first ever summit between Japan and North Korea".

"Koizumi himself acknowledges that he does not think... that it will easily bring about solutions to pending issues," the agency says.

The agency points out that the two countries have held a series of meetings this year, but with no progress in solving core issues such as the alleged abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents.

Japan alleges that North Korea abducted at least 11 Japanese nationals between 1977 and 1983 to use them for espionage. North Korea is demanding an apology and compensation from Japan for its colonial rule over the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

"Under the circumstances, Koizumi has apparently judged the summit with Kim as the only way to achieve a breakthrough," Jiji Press believes.

Reclusive Kim Jong-il will host the Japanese prime minister

The Japanese news agency Kyodosays that Mr Koizumi has "been compelled to take the chance and jump straight to a direct meeting" with the North Korean leader, because he is the "only individual in North Korea who is in a position to make major political decisions".

"Diplomatic protocol, as we know it, does not apply to North Korea," the paper says, quoting a senior Japanese Foreign Ministry official.

"Under the system in North Korea, its leader Kim Jong-il is virtually the only one who can make big political decisions," the paper quotes the unnamed official as saying.

"Should Koizumi return to Japan empty-handed regarding the kidnap allegations, it could place him in a new and serious political crisis as his opponents are prepared to step up criticism of the premier in the fall amid the protracted economic slump," the paper says.

Nuclear concerns

Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun says Tokyo must also table the issue of nuclear weapons that North Korea is believed to possess.

"Leaving those matters unclear and simply jumping to the question of relations and compensation will only preserve the current military dictatorship," it warns.

South Korean newspaper agree that the North Korea's nuclear capability is not to be overlooked in the discussions.

Koizumi should "clearly convey the common position of South Korea, the USA, and Japan" on North's nuclear and missile programs and the importance of easing tension on the Korean peninsula, Choson Ilbo says.

Commenting on the "Koizumi-style surprise visit to the North" the paper sees this as an "opportunity" to persuade the North to "carry out reform and open up,"

It warns that North Korea should not use the Japan-DPRK summit as an opportunity to start minimizing international pressure on its programs.

The South Korean Dong A Ilbo, urges the Seoul government to play its role in the North Korea-Japan talks saying the historic visit could "ease tension on the Korean peninsula" and help North Korea "to advance to the international arena."

At least an epoch-making development between the two countries

Taehan Maeil

It also warns the Japanese premier against exploiting the visit to restore his popularity.

His visit should be seen as a "practical contribution for peace on the Korean peninsula," the paper says.

Joongang Ilbo, in South Korea, says it is worth noting that Kim Chong-il was gracious enough to accept Koizumi's proposal for talks.

The editorial urges the North to further open up and implement agreements reached with the South so that efforts can be made to pull down the "Cold War wall" that has existed for a long time on the Korean peninsula.

The South Korean Hangyore Shinmun believes that if DPRK-Japan relations are improved, the United States will have to "revise the basis of its policy" toward the North.

The Seoul government-run daily Taehan Maeil says the visit will "at least be an epoch-making development between the two countries".

BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.