PM Ishiba Looks for Abductee Families' Backing on Liaison Offices

On October 3, several sources confirmed that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had contacted the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (families' association, AFVKN). Ishiba sought their support for his proposal to set up liaison offices in Tokyo and Pyongyang. 

Preparations to organize an early meeting with the families are now in progress. The Prime Minister has positioned the abduction issue as a top priority for his administration. Nevertheless, the families' association has expressed strong concerns that North Korea could exploit the liaison offices to obstruct the return of the victims. 

Families' Opposition

On the afternoon of October 2, Ishiba called the association of families to outline the reasoning behind his plan. He expressed the desire to move forward with the initiative. Meanwhile, the association reiterated its opposition to the establishment of liaison offices. In response, the Prime Minister outlined the reasoning behind his plan.

Chief Cabinet Secretary and Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue Yoshimasa Hayashi commented on the proposal during an October 3 press conference. "The Prime Minister hopes to meet with the families as soon as possible and hear their concerns." He emphasized the government's plan to swiftly arrange a direct meeting between the Prime Minister and the families.

The association opposes the establishment of liaison offices, fearing, among other things, that North Korea might use them to disseminate propaganda. Takuya Yokota is the association's official representative. He is also the brother of Megumi Yokota, whom North Korean agents abducted at the age of 13. 

Following Prime Minister Ishiba's appointment, Yokota expressed his apprehension in a statement. He advised the government to "proceed carefully and refrain from unintentionally backing North Korea's strategies to delay or hasten an empty resolution."

Squandering Time

During former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's administration, there were high-level talks about a summit between Kishida and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. However, since these discussions were held behind closed doors, the extent of progress remains opaque.

Before assuming office, Ishiba remarked on his proposed liaison offices in interviews with various media outlets. "Both sides need to establish liaison offices," he proposed. "(Through them), we must publicly verify whether North Korea's statements about the abductees' fate are truly accurate." He added, "While a summit is inevitable, there's no point in rushing into one." His comments suggest a clear focus on opening liaison offices as a priority.

Ishiba once served as chairman of the Parliamentarian League for Early Repatriation of Japanese Citizens Kidnapped by North Korea. However, he is also a member of the Parliamentarians' League for Promotion of Japan-DPRK Normalization. Families of the abductees view this organization with caution due to its conciliatory stance toward North Korea. 

In a press conference on October 1, Ishiba stated, "I am firmly committed to ensuring their (abductees) swift return home." If he stubbornly adheres to his own proposals, however, he risks making missteps in his approach. This could ultimately squander what precious little time the victims' families have left.

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Read the article in Japanese. 

Author: Shingo Nagahara, The Sankei Shimbun