As much animosity as there may be between Pyongyang and Tokyo, The Japan Times is reporting that the TMG (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) is doing its fair share to make life a little easier for elementary school children of North Korean residents living in Japan.

Under the deal reached Thursday at the Tokyo District Court, Tokyo Chosen Gakuen, operator of the school, will pay 170 million yen to the metro government, the owner of the 4,100-sq.-meter part of the school premises in Koto Ward.

The land will be handed over to Tokyo Chosen Gakuen on condition that it will be used as school premises.

The agreement puts an end to a suit the metro government filed in 2003 against Tokyo Chosen Gakuen, which operates nine elementary schools, six junior high schools, a high school and a university in Tokyo with backing from North Korea and the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryun).