politics

PM hopefuls seek summit with N Korea on abduction issue

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That’s a great idea.

No Japanese Politician has ever tried to do that, and Kim is always open to summits with the revolving Prime Minister of Japan to talk about abduction issues.

20 ( +24 / -4 )

One of two fall back subjects that always get talking points from politicians but never materialize, the other being the recovery of the Tohoku area.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Japan won’t get the abductees back until it becomes a nuclear armed country that can defend itself without US presence. One needs to speak to North Korea in the language they understand, the language of force.

-9 ( +6 / -15 )

The sharp pointed spear next to Kono is interesting.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

MeiyouwentiToday  07:42 am JST

Japan won’t get the abductees back until it becomes a nuclear armed country that can defend itself without US presence. One needs to speak to North Korea in the language they understand, the language of force.

If you like force so much I trust you're desperate to join the SDF and get right into the middle of the action when Dad's Army blunders into another war.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

.....just DISGUSTING, once again like we have been seeing for DECADES, the abducted being USED as pawns for political gain........

FOR SHAME!!

14 ( +19 / -5 )

These Japanese are either dead, or brainwashed, they have no memory of Japan

10 ( +15 / -5 )

Are these four clowns gonna be at every event now?

At least they aren’t all in the same cemented position on the stage.

Does that mean Suga is no longer making public appearances?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Abe, Suga and I'd bet the next PM have never will never appear in Public, too scared of the reaction from the population. They would rather make the same promises for the press knowing full well nothing at all will come of it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

GWToday 08:18 am JST

.....just DISGUSTING, once again like we have been seeing for DECADES, the abducted being USED as pawns for political gain........

Yep, you can always tell there's an election in the air when these poor sad families are dragged out of the closet and paraded around on television.

The LDP never mentions that their leaders at the time knew full well what was happening but ignored the kidnappings because they were in discussions with Kim Il Sung about joint economic development in North Korea.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Useless, unless ready to pay billions of the yens of the Japanese tax payers money.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

And Taro Kono will be hurt and blocks Kim Jong-un for his hurtful statements or views...

The DPRK cannot be reasonably discussed. It's always about what concessions are made to them to start negotiating. In the case of these new names, it's just going to be about two deer against each other, and neither one is going to want to give in and make demands on the other that the other is not willing to accept.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

@thepersoniamnow

Actually Prime Minister Koizumi held a summit with Kim Jong Il, resulting in the return of the surviving abductees and the signing of the Pyongyang Declaration.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Not one of these are serious. If were they all have the white gloves on. Remember those days when honest politician wore white glove to prove their honesty

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Hooray! It's that time of the year again, to get the abductees' families out and parade them all around town.

We need to create an environment for talks with North Korea by exchanging views with the United States, China, South Korea and Russia and making sure we are headed in the same direction," said Kono

Well, at least he didn't exactly say "let's make it "sexy." Though more likely the same meaning.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Trump's card (5 years ago): Let's build a wall.

Moon's card: Japan bad. Look what they did (about a century ago).

Every Japan's PM card: bring out the Yokotas

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Their ‘lovely’ answer swims already beforehand in the EEZ. In addition, they don’t let anyone in while that corona is still around and Kim’s sister has a bit treated and calmed down. She looks btw a bit starving and frustrated, therefore not ready and healthy enough to negotiate , still playing around with missile launch pad buttons only. Corona widely in check and some delicious and some fashion presents for her, and surely she comes back to the table one day. But I guess not before those basic conditions are all served. lol

1 ( +4 / -3 )

About time for Tokyo to have an independent foreign policy and establish diplomatic ties with Pyongyang.

Japan will be helping many civilians including women, the elderly and children who are suffering from malnutrition.

Hope whoever wins will make good things happen.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

They’re all dead. I feel for their families but they are gone and they are not coming back. The best we can hope for now is a full accounting, and even that seems like a bridge too far given the North’s pathology of lying and deceit.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

The four are playing games from pulling on Japanese heartstrings to stating the intention to vaccinate children-pure theatrics…

0 ( +4 / -4 )

In upcoming GE, the same question about this issue should be asked to each opposition parties.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

US army basements

Meaning underground command and control facilities in SK???

0 ( +2 / -2 )

North Korean issue is necessary to keep the American base on Japanese.

Hah! Just TRY to get rid of them and see what happens. And it's not because of Bukhan that the bases are in Japan. It's because of Empire. And China. Bukhan is just a convenient, but truth be told, impotent, bogieman to frighten childish minds into political acquiescence used by both the U.S. and Nihonsei politicians. Japan has 5-6 times the population and at least 100 times the economy of Bukhan plus the most virulent bully onplanet behind it. The Koreans are NOT suicidal... And all NK really wants is the U.S. hobnail boot off of its economic throat without having to kneel to Washington like Japan and SK do...

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Lets have another meeting with North Korea, so they can tell us once again that there are no abductees left. Perhaps a photo op and a round of golf afterwards?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Ask US what if 12 Americans, most probably much more have been abducted over there and their families have been asking the gov't to do something for decades, Do as US does, not as US says

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Simon FostonToday  08:16 am JST

MeiyouwentiToday  07:42 am JST

Japan won’t get the abductees back until it becomes a nuclear armed country that can defend itself without US presence. One needs to speak to North Korea in the language they understand, the language of force.

If you like force so much I trust you're desperate to join the SDF and get right into the middle of the action when Dad's Army blunders into another war.

Force does not necessarily mean that you are to engage yourself into face-to-face combat on the front line.

You could contribute as a scientist, a engineer, mere one of operators for a military operation to bring back abductees.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Her mother is still alive. The 5 repatriated are healthy and alive. How come you insist they are all dead?

How come what you all like UN and UNHCR didn't even take any action?

You just do not care period

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

@blue

Thank you for your polite response as opposed to the ones from some regular posters here but I meant Yokota Sakie by " Her mother"

Your average expectancy in NK was interesting but I hate to say it is irrelevant as NK officially told Japan " They are all dead" long time ago. I mean NK must answer for the consequence, including lying then.

Hope you would understand what I mean.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I mean NK must answer for the consequence, including lying then.

Maybe. They're already paying the price with tons of sanctions. And now going through famine, again.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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