The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed his intention to hold a summit with the North’s leader.

Kim Yo-jong, who serves as the vice department director of the ruling Workers’ Party’s Central Committee, said Kishida conveyed his intention to meet the North Korean leader at the earliest possible time, according to a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.

She said opening a new chapter in the relationship between North Korea and Japan would depend on Japan’s political decision.

In February, Kim said the North Korean regime is open to improving its relationship with Japan in response to Kishida’s remarks that he feels a “strong need” to change the current relationship between Tokyo and Pyongyang, and that he is currently making related activities.

Source: Yonhap News Agency