Japan and North Korea will resume official negotiations on outstanding issues between the two nations, stalled since November 2012.

Mid-level officials from the foreign ministry of each country were meeting with Red Cross officials in China.

The upcoming meeting was decided on the sidelines.

Higher-level officials will discuss kidnappings and other issues.

North Korea has acknowledged kidnapping Japanese and South Koreans in the 1970s and 80s to help train spies.

Officials have yet to decide a time and place, but Tokyo is pushing to meet as soon as possible.