Leaders of Japanese political parties attend a pre-election debate in Tokyo on July 2. There was no heated discussion on the abduction issue. (©Sankei by Masahiro Sakai)
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The Upper House election on July 20 is shaping up to be a referendum to decide the makeup of the next government, and the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea is a bellwether. As things now stand, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Komeito are in the minority in the House of Representatives. If they lose their majority in the Upper House, there is a possibility of significant change.
Through a change of government composition or multiparty framework, many parties could become part of the ruling coalition. That is all the more reason why all of Japan's political parties have the responsibility to clearly spell out their positions on the major issues of the day.
But have they done so?
What the Party Pledges Say
Looking at the election pledges made by the eight major parties for the Upper House election, only the LDP, the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), the Nippon Ishin no Kai, and the Sanseito have explicitly mentioned the North Korean abductions.
There is not a word about the issue in the campaign pledges made by Komeito or the Democratic Party for the People. This may make Pyongyang conclude that enthusiasm regarding the abductions issue within Japan has dissipated.
Moreover, just including a pledge in a party's platform is not enough.
The LDP's campaign pledge states: "The abduction issue is a time-sensitive humanitarian issue and an infringement of national sovereignty. We will use all means to make every effort to realize the immediate return of all abduction victims." The CDP, Japan Restoration Party and Sanseito pledges only touch briefly on the issue.
Engaging with Trump is Essential
So, up to now, has the LDP actually done everything in its power to resolve the issue?
For example, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is also LDP president, skipped the NATO summit in June, despite an invitation. He thereby missed an opportunity to meet with US President Donald Trump.
During his first term, Trump met face-to-face with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and urged progress on resolving the abductions issue. When asked why he had done so at a press conference shortly after the meeting with Kim, Trump replied, "It's because that's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's top priority."
Trump's personal involvement was the result of persistent persuasion on the part of former Prime Minister Abe. That is the kind of behavior worthy of being termed "doing everything in every way possible." After all, words are meaningless unless translated into action.
A Cry for Resolution
Then there was the debate among the eight leaders of ruling and opposition parties hosted by the Japan National Press Club on July 2. Even there, no heated discussion on the abductions issue was to be heard.
On the same day, a group of former classmates of the abductee Megumi Yokota delivered lectures in Niigata City. They are all involved in the efforts to bring Megumi home from North Korea. Megumi's mother, Sakie, also participated by phone. She implored, "We haven't heard at all from the government, and we're living with a sense of emptiness."
Every political party, every politician, every candidate should listen to and also take to heart this cry of despair from this grieving mother. Resolution of the abductions issue must be a top priority for the entire nation.
RELATED:
- Megumi's Mother Speaks: A Long Battle for Justice and Hope
- To Bring Abductees Home, Work with Trump on North Korea
- EXCLUSIVE | Letter From Bipartisan US Lawmakers Calls for Resolution of the Abductions
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
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