Asian nations welcomed a deal between North Korea and U.S. that could bring the North one step closer to nuclear disarmament.
In exchange for food aid, Pyongyang is to stop nuclear tests, uranium enrichment, long-range missile launches and allow checks by nuclear inspectors.
But Japan's foreign minister said the deal is unlikely to revive six-party talks anytime soon.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER KOICHIRO GEMBA SAYING:
"Are we in a situation where the six-party talks will be resumed immediately? I don't think we are. But the situation surrounding the matter is improving."
Analysts caution that Pyongyang has backtracked repeatedly on past deals.
On the streets of Tokyo, scepticism ran even deeper.
(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) HISATOSHI YOSHIKAWA, 71-YEAR-OLD RETIREE, SAYING:
"In the end they (North Korea) always end up doing the same thing over and over again. They don't know how to change."
China, which hosted the U.S.-North Korean talks, also welcomed the agreement.
Beijing residents thought it was a wise move by North Korea.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) MR. GAO, 62-YEAR-OLD BEIJING RESIDENT, SAYING:
"I think this is an opportunity to ease the tension. North Korea has always been seeking to conduct nuclear tests. But now the international community has some issues about it. North Korea itself also needs to proceed with its economic development. So they ease up the situation by suspending the nuclear programme in order to gain more aid. I think this is a wise decision."
South Koreans were divided about the move.
Some still cannot trust the North, others are more positive.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) 55-YEAR-OLD LEE JAE-DEOK SAYING:
"Regarding the dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea, I like the agreement over the denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula. Many North Koreans are starving, so it's very good that the U.S. would provide food to the North."
The on-off disarmament talks, which last broke down in 2008, involved the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which withdrew its inspectors from North Korea in 2009, said it was ready to return, calling the new deal "an important step forward".
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
