Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba attended a meeting for families of abducted Japanese citizens on the 24th in Tokyo and noted that he would cooperate with the international community and seek solutions for the early return of the abductees.
According to reports from Kyodo News and NHK, Prime Minister Ishiba said at the meeting, “The abduction issue is an infringement of national sovereignty,” and added that “in order to break the deadlock, there must be candid dialogue and direct confrontation between the leaders of Japan and North Korea.”
He also emphasized that “the heartfelt plea for abductees to return quickly while their families are still healthy is not only my resolve but also a common sentiment among the entire population,” and noted that “I will further strengthen responses through various channels directed at North Korea.”
More than 800 people attended the meeting. The participants resolved that if all abductees can return while their parents' generation is still alive, they would not oppose the Japanese government's humanitarian aid to North Korea and the lifting of unilateral sanctions.
The Japanese government claims that 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korea, with 12 remaining in North Korea. Among the parents of these individuals, the only survivor is Sakie Yokota, the mother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted in 1977.
In response to the Japanese government's claims, North Korea has asserted that “8 out of the 12 are already deceased, and 4 never even came to North Korea,” arguing that there are no issues that need to be resolved.
Earlier, Prime Minister Ishiba had confirmed comprehensive support for resolving the abduction issue during a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump in February, promising to seek understanding and cooperation from the international community, including the United States.