Pyongyang, September 7 (KCNA) -- A seminar was held in Tokyo on Sept. 3 on the ninth anniversary of the publication of the DPRK-Japan Pyongyang declaration

Present there were officials of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), compatriots in Japan and personages of the Japan-Korea friendship organizations.

Its attendants heard speeches made by Motofumi Asahi, former director of the Hiroshima Peace Research Center of Hiroshima University, Kim Ji Yong, vice director of the Editorial Board of Choson Sinbo of Chongryon, and Haruki Wata, honorary professor of Tokyo University, on the subjects "Anti-DPRK policy seen in the light of the East Asia strategy of the U.S. and the tasks of Japan," "2012, Pyongyang is heading for, and road to a thriving nation" and "Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration and tasks of Japan".

The speakers accused the Japanese government of intensifying its anti-Chongryon and anti-DPRK moves, pursuant to the hostile policy towards the DPRK, far from working to implement the declaration.

They denounced the sanctions against the DPRK and policy of national discrimination as intolerable human rights abuses.

They urged Japan to make efforts for the normalization of the relations with the DPRK and develop non-governmental exchange.

The seminar adopted a written request to the Japanese prime minister and foreign minister.

The written request urged the Japanese government to work for the normalization of the DPRK-Japan relations, drop the sanctions against the DPRK as early as possible and pave the way for the resumption of dialogue.