Under pressure: Why Japan is pushing for a North Korea summit with new urgency



Analysis Under pressure: Why Japan is pushing for a North Korea summit with new urgency Fumio Kishida says time ticking to resolve abductee issue, but domestic political concerns may also be playing a role Oliver Jia July 7, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May 2022 \| Image: Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Time is running out for the family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean spies, and with many advanced in age, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appears to be feeling greater pressure than ever to resolve the decades-old issue with Pyongyang and repatriate any survivors. Kishida in recent months has pushed for a summit with Kim Jong Un at an “early date,” referring to the abductions as a “time-sensitive human rights issue.” Political calculations are likely a factor as he struggles with mediocre public support. Time is running out for the family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean spies, and with many advanced in age, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appears to be feeling greater pressure than ever to resolve the decades-old issue with Pyongyang and repatriate any survivors. Kishida in recent months has pushed for a summit with Kim Jong Un at an “early date,” referring to the abductions as a “time-sensitive human rights issue.” Political calculations are likely a factor as he struggles with mediocre public support. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Under pressure: Why Japan is pushing for a North Korea summit with new urgency

Fumio Kishida says time ticking to resolve abductee issue, but domestic political concerns may also be playing a role

Oliver Jia July 7, 2023

Under pressure: Why Japan is pushing for a North Korea summit with new urgency

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in May 2022 | Image: Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Time is running out for the family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean spies, and with many advanced in age, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appears to be feeling greater pressure than ever to resolve the decades-old issue with Pyongyang and repatriate any survivors.

Kishida in recent months has pushed for a summit with Kim Jong Un at an “early date,” referring to the abductions as a “time-sensitive human rights issue.” Political calculations are likely a factor as he struggles with mediocre public support.

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Under pressure: Why Japan is pushing for a North Korea summit with new urgency

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