Japan wants guarantee for Korea play

Tokyo - Japan said Thursday that it wants Japanese soccer players and fans to have their safety guaranteed when Japan plays a World Cup qualifier against North Korea on June in Pyongyang.

Angry North Korean fans reacted violently when the team lost to Iran in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday.

''As many Japanese soccer supporters may travel (to Pyongyang), we would like to see firm safety steps taken for them as well as the players,'' chief cabinet secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told a press conference.

Hosoda said the Japan Football Association is expected to discuss the matter with FIFA.

''It is a necessary precondition that players can play safely and spectators be protected at international matches,'' he said.

''There are still are more than two months before June 8 and I think steps will be taken by learning a lesson from this incident,''.