Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a cabinet meeting at the prime minister’s office, Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Jiji Press.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday reaffirmed her commitment to resolving the decades-old issue of Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea.
She met with families of the abductees and advocacy groups supporting their return, stressing the need to achieve tangible results for the affected families.
Takaichi said she wants to secure the safe return of all Japanese citizens taken abroad and described the issue as a top priority for her administration.
The advocacy groups handed the prime minister a policy document indicating they would support lifting sanctions and pursuing diplomatic normalization with North Korea if all abductees are returned.
Takuya Yokota, head of one family group and younger brother of abductee Megumi Yokota, said the recent landslide victory of the Liberal Democratic Party presents an opportunity for stable and credible negotiations.
Yokota added that his group is ready to support the prime minister’s diplomatic efforts to ensure the return of the missing Japanese citizens.
Megumi Yokota’s mother, Sakie, who turned 90 this year, urged continued government action to help rescue those who remain in North Korea.
Officials said the meeting highlighted Japan’s focus on resolving the abduction issue through sustained dialogue and practical measures to protect the rights of its citizens.