Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed her intention to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking the first such attempt by a Japanese leader in over 20 years.
At a rally demanding the return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, she stated, “We have already conveyed to North Korea our desire to hold a summit meeting.”
The abduction issue remains a major obstacle between the two countries. Japan claims at least 17 citizens were taken in the late 1970s and 1980s, with five returned in 2002. North Korea disputes the numbers, claiming some abductees died and considers the matter closed. Families of the missing have long sought answers and closure without success.
Takaichi has met with abductees’ families and pledged to resolve the issue during her time in office. She aims to follow the legacy of former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, who tried to advance dialogue with North Korea.
The last high-level engagement occurred in 2002 when then-Prime Minister Junichirō Koizumi visited Pyongyang and met Kim Jong Il, who admitted to the abductions and apologised. Five abductees were returned soon after. Further returns followed a second visit in 2004, but no progress has been made since.
Both Abe and current leader Fumio Kishida expressed willingness to meet Kim Jong Un without preconditions, but no meetings happened. North Korea’s missile programmes and nuclear tests continue to prevent reconciliation.
Takaichi’s leadership brings fresh hope for addressing this long-standing issue and improving Japan-North Korea relations amid ongoing regional tensions.