Senior Japanese and North Korean diplomats ended rare talks Friday, with reports saying they were eyeing a further meeting.

Japanese negotiator Shinsuke Sugiyama said the two sides agreed to continue their dialogue for "further consideration" about the issue of the North's past abduction of Japanese nationals.

During the two-day meeting in Ulan Bator, they agreed that the next round of talks would be held as soon as possible, Jiji and Kyodo News reported, quoting Sugiyama.

"Although the consultation itself is not an easy matter, both sides have exchanged views sincerely," Sugiyama said on Thursday night, after a nearly seven-hour session.

"The atmosphere of the meeting was not acerbic. It was direct, serious and very rich in substance. We discussed a wide range of subjects in depth," Sugiyama said.

The direct talks between Sugiyama and his North Korean counterpart Song Il-ho were the first senior, working-level meeting between the two nations in four years.