In an interview with representatives from the Asia News Network Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said separate bilateral FTA negotiations with

Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines will be launched during the Asean leaders meet on December 11-12 in Tokyo.

Japan will also sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, agreeing to the Asean request though, he felt Tokyo's ties with its neighbours in Southeast Asia already exceeds that specified in the treaty.

"Japan and Asean are partners who can act together and advance together and we shall strive to further strengthen these ties," he said.

A statement released by Tokyo's Foreign Affairs ministry said the summit will also see an agreement on broad guidelines for the Asean-Japan cooperation, with a list of specific measures to be implemented in the near future being compiled.

The Tokyo summit will be the first ever to be attended by the 10 Asean leaders, outside the region, Koizumi noted.

Japan will also seek to negotiate an FTA with South Korea he said and expressed hope that his government will be able to convince the Japanese people of the benefits of opening up the market. Rice farmers in Japan continue to enjoy subsidies and high tariff walls have prevented cheaper imports.

On the North Korean issue, Koizumi said despite the "provocative bluster" from Pyongyang, he believes the country's leader Kim Jong Il wants to normalise relations with Japan.

"I believe Kim Jong-Il invited me to Pyongyang last year because basically he did want to normalise relations with Japan," he said and hoped the North Korean leader would live up to the spirit of the Pyongyang declaration that the two leaders signed last year.

With efforts underway to hold the six-nation talks, Koizumi felt the rhetoric from North Korea was to be expected but he said though this makes things "difficult" it was important to discern and "figure what North Korea's intent was very calmly."

If Pyongyang will settle the nuclear issue and the abduction issue, "it is North Korea that will benefit the most," he said.