Japanese foreign minister, Taro Aso, has said that six-way talks on denuclearising North Korea could resume next week after the US announced it had resolved a row over Pyongyang's frozen funds.
Mr Taro confirmed that the transfer of funds 'would be completed within the next few days' and said talks were now 'likely'.
The comments came hours after Christopher Hill, the chief US envoy to the six-nation talks, said he expected the issue to be resolved soon.
The talks broke down last week after North Korea refused to enter negotiations until the money was safely returned.
Pyongyang had stayed away from talks for more than a year, during which it tested an atom bomb, after the United States blacklisted a Macau bank accused of handling laundered and counterfeited money for North Korea.
The US announced an agreement on the funds at the start of the latest round of talks last week.
But North Korea was angry after it failed to receive the $25 million quickly at its account with the Bank of China, which was reportedly concerned that handling the cash would hurt its credit rating.
