Citing unnamed sources in the Japanese government, state-run broadcaster NHK reports that Tokyo is making arrangements to hold the three-way summit while a final decision on the meeting still hinges on an official response from the South Korean government. The South Korean embassy in Japan says specific details, including the date of the summit, have yet to be decided.

The foreign ministers of the three countries originally met in June and agreed to hold the summit in Japan in September.

But prospects appeared dim following a diplomatic spat in July when Japan's education ministry published a guideline for teachers describing Dokdo as part of its territory. Since then the South Korean government has taken a wait-and-see approach, delaying any official comment.

But NHK reports that South Korea's Ambassador to Tokyo Kwon Chul-hyun, who was briefly recalled to Korea last month, secretly met with Japanese government officials after returning in early August.

The South Korean embassy in Tokyo, however, claims no such meetings took place.

For South Korea the rocky islets in the East Sea are a source of tremendous pride, having regained control over them after Japanese colonial rule ended after its defeat in World War II. The islets are also located in rich fishing waters.

At the summit the Japanese government may discuss global warming, energy matters and other cross-border issues as well as ways to deal with North Korea.

Arirang News