SANCTIONS TOKYO, JUNE 1, SPA -- JAPAN’S TOP DIPLOMAT ON THURSDAY URGED IRANTO ACCEPT A U.S. OFFER FOR DIRECT TALKS IN RETURN FORSUSPENDING ITS CONTROVERSIAL URANIUM ENRICHMENT PROGRAM,AND SAID TOKYO WAS NOT CONSIDERING ECONOMIC SANCTIONSAGAINST IRAN, REPORTED AP. SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN TOKYO, FOREIGN MINISTERTARO ASO CALLED THE U.S. OFFER A SIGNIFICANT COMPROMISE,AND SAID THERE WAS STILL ROOM FOR NEGOTIATION TO CONVINCEIRAN TO STOP DISPUTED NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES THAT THE WESTFEARS COULD LEAD TO A BOMB. «JAPAN IS NOT CONSIDERING CONCRETE SANCTIONS AT THEMOMENT,» ASO SAID. «IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE INTERNATIONALSOCIETY AS A WHOLE TO ADDRESS THE IRANIAN NUCLEAR ISSUE (INWHICH) JAPAN IS DETERMINED TO CONTINUE PLAYING A FAIRROLE,» THE MINISTER ADDED IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT ISSUEDTHURSDAY. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/365528