Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a national rally calling for the immediate return of all abductees. At left is Sakie Yokota. Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, May 30. (©Sankei/Masahiro Sakai)
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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a national rally on May 30 calling for a resolution to North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens. The issue refers to Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s.
Speaking on Japan-North Korea relations, Takaichi said, "The Government of Japan is ready to engage in dialogue and take concrete action to build a mutually beneficial relationship."
"I believe the people of North Korea are likely watching this message as well," she added.
Addressing Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, Takaichi appealed for progress, saying, "For the sake of the citizens and people of both countries, and for the young people of the future, I want to take a courageous step forward together with Chairman Kim Jong Un."
Seeking New Leverage
Takaichi also said she would "rule out no option," including a summit with Kim. "I will do whatever it takes to open a breakthrough during my time in office and resolve the abductions issue," she said.
Since five abductees returned to Japan in 2002, none of the remaining victims has been brought home. With the abductees and their families growing older, Takaichi stressed that "we cannot afford to spend any more time."
Takaichi said Japan has a responsibility as a sovereign state to ensure that all abductees, including those whose cases have not yet been officially recognized, can return home as soon as possible.
The prime minister also emphasized the importance of coordination with the international community. She said she had received full support from US President Donald Trump at the Japan-US summit in March. At her May 19 meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, she also asked for understanding and cooperation.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, who concurrently serves as minister in charge of the abductions issue, also attended the rally.
Kihara noted that the current Diet session had passed legislation to establish a new national intelligence council. He said the council would strengthen the government's command center function by centralizing and analyzing information from across ministries and agencies.
"This will provide a major boost to efforts to resolve North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens," Kihara said.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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