Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to meet with North Korea's Kim Jong Un to have the nation recognize the return of Japanese people abducted during the 1970s and 80s.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated Thursday his determination to work toward a summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un to realize the return of Japanese people believed abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. 'I remain committed to realizing this for Japan,' he told reporters, while declining to directly address the recent comments from North Korea that suggested such a meeting would be possible only if Japan stops pressing the abductions issue.
Japan thinks hundreds more may have been abducted during that period and that some are still alive. Koizumi’s second visit to North Korea in 2004 was the last summit between the two nations. Kishida, prime minister since 2021, also promised to wrest the nation out of decades-long deflation and set off 'a positive cycle' of higher wages, company profits and strong productivity.
Kishida has seen his popularity plummet to record lows in recent months over the scandal. But his ouster, even if it happens, will likely result in another leader from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, because the opposition is weak and splintered. There is even speculation among pundits that Japan will get its first female prime minister, such as Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike. As a woman, Koike would be seen as a fresh change, although she is unlikely to stray too far from the status quo.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US Ally Wants to Meet Kim Jong Un 'as Soon as Possible,' North Korea SaysNorth Korean leader's sister, Kim Yo Jong, ruled out contact with Japan just a day after hinting at a Tokyo-Pyongyang summit.
Read more »
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Doubles Down on Hostility With SouthThe North has axed a 78-year-old organization tasked with promoting eventual reunification with the South.
Read more »
Kim Jong Un visits tank unit; North Korea says Japan wants summitThe Associated Press
Read more »
North Korea: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida proposed summit with Kim Jong-unNorth Korea said Monday that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida offered to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un 'as soon as possible,' but stressed that prospects for their countries' first summit in about 20 years would depend on Tokyo tolerating its weapons program and ignoring its past abductions of Japanese nationals.
Read more »
North Korea says Japan's prime minister offered to meet with leader Kim Jong Un soonNorth Korea says Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has offered to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un soon but stressed prospects for any summit would depend on Tokyo tolerating its weapons program and ignoring past abductions of Japanese nat...
Read more »
Japan PM proposed summit with Kim Jong Un, North Korea saysNorth Korea says Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has proposed a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kim’s sister and senior official, Kim Yo Jong, made the comments in a state media dispatch Monday. Kim Yo Jong said Kishida used an unspecified channel to convey his position that he wants to meet Kim Jong Un at an early date.
Read more »