SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il made his first known public appearance since his nation’s nuclear test, state-run press reported yesterday, amid concerns that the regime was readying a second detonation.

Mr. Kim, accompanied by top Communist Party officials and military officers, attended a performance of songs praising him, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.

The exact date of the performance was not specified, but Mr. Kim most likely attended the event Tuesday evening on the 80th anniversary of the “Down-with-Imperialism Union” — a political platform on which the ruling party was built.

A second nuclear test was not ruled out by the director-general of the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s American affairs bureau, Ri Gun, in an interview with ABC News in Pyongyang that was broadcast yesterday.

Asked if there would be a second test, he said: “Even if there’s a nuclear test, that is natural, so don’t have to care much about this issue. The test itself … will be natural.”

In Tokyo, Secretary of State Rice met with Japanese officials and said America was prepared to use the “full range” of its military might to defend Japan in light of North Korea’s October 9 test.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso of Japan said he was reassured by Ms. Rice’s comments and emphasized Japan had no plans to develop nuclear weapons, a prospect that America fears could trigger and arms race in Asia.

Prime Minister Abe of Japan also said Japan will not build a nuclear bomb, declaring discussion on that topic “finished.”

The North Korean performers “sang high praises of the immortal exploits” of Mr. Kim and his late father, Kim Il Sung, KCNA reported.The North Korean leader “waved back to the enthusiastically cheering artists and audience and congratulated them on their successful performance.”

There was no mention of a nuclear test in the report. On Tuesday, North Korea said U.N.sanctions imposed over its nuclear test amounted to a declaration of war and threatened to “deal merciless blows” against anyone who violated its sovereignty. China and South Korea both warned the North not to aggravate tensions.

Concern over a second test stems partly from new satellite imagery showing increased activity around at least two other North Korean sites, a senior U.S. Defense official said.

The activity, started a number of days ago, included ground preparation at one site and construction of some buildings and other structures, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because it involved intelligence gathering. He said that, although the purpose of the structures is unclear, officials are concerned because North Korea has left open the possibility of another test.

Japan, meanwhile, was expected to offer naval backup for possible American military searches of North Korean vessels, the Yomiuri newspaper reported. China fears the prospect could trigger military clashes, and the issue is also sensitive in Japan because of its pacifist constitution.

A Japanese defense spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity because of his department’s policy, said the issue would be discussed during Ms. Rice’s visit, which ends today. Ms. Rice and Mr. Aso said Japan and America would start examining how to implement the U.N. resolution but did not specifically mention the possibility of Japan helping in searches.

Tokyo also plans to expand its sanctions against the North by banning the export of automobiles, liquor and cigarettes to the impoverished regime, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, quoting unidentified officials.

Japan will classify those exports as luxury items banned under the U.N. Security Council sanctions, the report said. Cars and cigarettes account for 13% of Japan’s total exports to North Korea, the newspaper said.The defense spokesman declined to comment on the report.