One nuclear madman to go: Japanese PM

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister says he is confident that the world will be able to deal with North Korea's nuclear threat.

Taro Aso said that the world had already gotten rid of one crazy, unpredictable, ideologically driven despot in George Bush, so they now had experience on the issue.

"If the world can survive eight years of Bush without nuclear war, we can placate Kim Jong-il," said Mr Aso.

The Japanese Prime Minister also said is may even be easier do avoid conflict with the North Korean dictator.

"Kim Jong-il doesn't have Dick Cheney whispering in his ear like George Bush did.

"The Japanese Government feels this will help create a sense of calm and logic in the North Korean regime that we never saw with Bush," he said.

The PM's comments come after North Korea's recent nuclear and rocket tests.