Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed a desire to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, marking a significant diplomatic ambition not realized by any Japanese leader in over two decades. Takaichi made her intentions clear during a rally on Monday, where she reiterated Japan’s commitment to resolving the issue of its citizens who were abducted by North Korea decades ago.
During her speech, Takaichi stated, “We have already conveyed to North Korea our desire to hold a summit meeting.” The abduction issue remains a poignant matter in Japan-North Korea relations, with a long, fraught history of colonization and conflict complicating previous attempts at dialogue. Takaichi emphasized the need for direct engagement, saying, “I want the leaders to face each other directly and achieve concrete results.”
Japan asserts that at least 17 of its citizens were kidnapped by North Korean agents during the late 1970s and 1980s, with only five individuals returned in 2002. A 2014 United Nations report classified these abductions as part of North Korea’s espionage operations. While North Korean officials dispute the total number of abductions, claiming some victims died in accidents or by suicide, this has not offered closure for the families still searching for their loved ones.
For those affected, including families of the missing who were just teenagers when they were taken, the pursuit of answers remains a painful journey. Takaichi, who took office in October, has met with the families of abductees on two occasions, including a notable meeting alongside former US President Donald Trump during his visit to Japan. She has pledged to carry on the mission of her mentor, the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who sought to bring attention to the plight of the abductees and engaged with Trump in discussions about the issue.
Japan’s historical engagement with North Korea includes a landmark summit in 2002, when then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang and met with Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Un’s father. This meeting marked a pivotal moment, as it was the first time a Japanese prime minister visited North Korea since World War II. During this visit, North Korea finally acknowledged its role in the abductions after years of denial, with Kim Jong Il offering an apology and promising to prevent future incidents.
Despite the initial breakthrough, no further repatriations have occurred since the return of the five detainees in 2002. Subsequent efforts by various Japanese leaders, including Abe and his successor, Fumio Kishida, to engage with North Korea have resulted in little progress. Each expressed a willingness to meet with Kim Jong Un, yet these meetings have not materialized.
Now, Takaichi inherits this complex and unresolved issue, hoping to be the leader who finally addresses it effectively. Her commitment to direct dialogue with North Korea signals a potential shift in Japan’s approach to its neighbor, aiming to foster a new chapter in a relationship marked by decades of tension and unresolved grievances. As she embarks on this diplomatic path, the eyes of both nations will be watching to see if her efforts yield the desired outcomes for the families waiting for answers and for Japan’s national interests.
