Nov. 3 (UPI) — Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her desire Monday to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un to finally resolve a decades-long abduction of Japanese nationals.
Takaichi said in Tokyo at a meeting over the issue that she wants to speak directly to Kim and “achieve concrete results,” adding that she will do “everything during my term to have a breakthrough and resolve the matter.”
“We have already conveyed to North Korea our desire to hold a summit meeting,” she stated.
“There is no time to lose,” Takaichi said. “Resolving this issue while the families are still in good health is essential for both Japan and North Korea to envision a future where both nations enjoy peace and prosperity.”
Around 17 Japanese civilians were abducted in the 1970s and 1980s by North Korea, which still receives aid from China and Russia.
Participant, families of victims kidnapped by North Korea raise their first during Monday’s Rally of families of victims kidnapped by North Korea in Tokyo. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
Pyongyang permitted five to return in the situation it claims is resolved, which Tokyo says was “unacceptable,” after a 2002 visit to North Korea by then Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
However, the North claimed that eight of the remaining 12 died and four never entered North Korea.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (C) speaks Monday in Tokyo during the Rally of families of victims kidnapped by North Korea. “To build a mutually fruitful new relationship, I intend to meet Chairman Kim Jong Un face-to-face as leaders, take the lead myself, act boldly according to the situation and achieve concrete results,” she stated. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
In 2015, Japan’s then-Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida revealed a series of talks were held to discuss the matter.
Takaichi has, like her predecessors, declared the issue a government priority.
Former abductee by North Korea Hitomi Soga (L) speaks Monday during the Rally of families of victims kidnapped by North Korea in Tokyo. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
On Monday, she said the issue puts “the lives of victims and national sovereignty at stake” and vowed to work closely with the United States and other allied nations in order to seek a resolution.
Takaichi met last week with U.S. President Donald Trump and added that invaluable American aid will continue to be sought.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) speaks Monday in Tokyo during the Rally of families of victims kidnapped by North Korea. “Resolving this issue while the families are still in good health is essential for both Japan and North Korea to envision a future where both nations enjoy peace and prosperity,” she said. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI
“I’m with them all the way, and the U.S. is with them all the way,” according to Trump.
Takaichi assumed the premiership less than two weeks ago as the first woman ever to lead the Japanese government.
“To build a mutually fruitful new relationship, I intend to meet Chairman Kim Jong Un face-to-face as leaders, take the lead myself, act boldly according to the situation and achieve concrete results,” she stated Monday.
