Solving the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea is the “most important task” for the government, said newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
“The abduction issue, which is time-bound as the abductees and their families are aging, is a humanitarian issue, a violation of national sovereignty, and the most important task of the regime,” Ishiba told parliament in a policy speech on Friday.
The issue of abductions remains a significant obstacle to diplomatic normalization between North Korea and Japan.
Tokyo says it has confirmed the abduction of 17 Japanese citizens by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, to work as language teachers for North Korean spies, and 12 are still in the North.
Pyongyang contends that of the 12, eight have died, and four never entered North Korea, insisting there is no issue to be resolved.
Ishiba's predecessor, Fumio Kishida, pushed for high-level contacts with the North to discuss the issue, but without success.
“I will work with all my might and determination to ensure that all abductees return home as soon as possible and to resolve various issues with North Korea,” Ishiba added, without elaborating.
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Separately, Ishiba expressed his intention to consider establishing a liaison office between Tokyo and Pyongyang to resolve the abductee issue, despite the opposition of a group of relatives of the abductees, Japan's Sankei Shimbun daily reported on Friday.
Ishiba made a phone call to the group’s representatives on Wednesday, a day after taking office, the newspaper added.
During the call, the group representing abductees’ families expressed opposition to the establishment of a liaison office but Ishiba explained that he was pushing ahead with the idea and sought their understanding, according to the report.
The families are opposed to the idea because they fear that information favorable to North Korea could be disseminated if it were to be created, the newspaper explained.
Even before he was elected as leader, Ishiba had said the establishment of a liaison office would be prioritized over holding a summit with North Korea to resolve the abductees issue.
Japan-South Korea relations
During his speech to parliament, Ishiba also stressed the importance of working closely with allies, including South Korea.
“Under the current strategic environment, it is in the interests of both countries to work closely together,” said Ishiba, referring to the South, citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and developments in the Middle East.
“There are difficult issues between Japan and South Korea, but as we approach the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations next year, I will build on the trust built by former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yun Seok Yul to make cooperation between Japan and South Korea even stronger and broader,” he added.
Ishiba and Yoon are scheduled to have their first in-person meeting at a regional conference next week in Laos.
Ishiba became Japan’s prime minister on Tuesday after members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party used their majority to confirm his appointment.
The former defense minister had expressed his desire to create an “Asian version of NATO” and bring equality to the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement.
Edited by Mike Firn.