NHK NEWSLINE, 10 April 2018— Japan’s Prime Minister and the head of the world’s nuclear watchdog have agreed that inspections by the global body are indispensable to realize North Korea’s denuclearization.

Shinzo Abe and the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano met in Tokyo on Tuesday, against the backdrop of the upcoming summits between the 2 Koreas and between the US and North Korea.

Abe said verifying the denuclearization of the North will be very important in order not to repeat past mistakes. He said he hopes to stay in close contact with the IAEA.

Amano responded that denuclearization will not happen without international inspections.

After the meeting, Amano told reporters it is fundamental for North Korea to make proper declarations and they must be verified.

Amano added that he thinks detailed verification methods will be discussed by various countries centered around the United States.