Trump, Abe discuss N Korea, trade issues

Abe obtained an agreement from Trump to bring up the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea during any summit.

Right, like this is something the US should be involved with in the first place? It's because of poor leadership on the part of Abe and his LDP predecessors that this had to be brought up.

This is not an accomplishment by Abe in any form, it's an admission of his and the LDP's failure to get anything done on their own.

The abductees were taken in the 70s they are either dead or don't remember Japan. Drop it already let's focus on what is important. Denuclearizing NK

Snake meets snake, their faces tell all.

Hope Japan and the US work well together on this one.

Good! Let the two great leaders continue their jobs. The two are true politicians. Japan's opposition party politicians are playing like polices rather than politicians. They do not have any vision about the future Japan.

 Drop it already let's focus on what is important

Sounds like Japan talking about the sex slave issue. Victims don't forget the pain of loss. Every August we remember Hirosaki and Nagashima.

The abductees were taken in the 70s they are either dead or don't remember Japan. Drop it already let's focus on what is important. Denuclearizing NK

The people that were abducted were of a wide age-range, some teenagers, and even a teenager is not going to forget where they were born and raised, even after being gone for 3 or 4 decades.

To suggest otherwise is just choosing to be ignorant.

If they are dead, then produce their remains and allow them to be returned to Japan for internment.

It's a truly callous and thoughtless person that would suggest otherwise.

Japanese leaders, including Abe, should bear the brunt of the shame on this issue, and even more so for needing the President to get involved to bring an end to it!

Might be another "glitch" Suprisingly there again appears to be a bias for the LDP and personally honestly never met a single supporter ever.

Good! Let the two great leaders continue their jobs.

Great? Your dictionary must have a totally different definition of the word than mine.

The two are true politicians.

Once again, your dictionary is off, Trump is hardly a politician, as evidenced by his total lack of self-control, and on the other hand Abe may be one, in a totally negative sense, as he only fights to keep his own power.

Japan's opposition party politicians are playing like polices rather than politicians. They do not have any vision about the future Japan.

Abe's "vision" for the future of Japan, is taking it back into the dark ages! His vision is something Japan can truly do without! My grandchildren will be paying for it and your's as well!

Abe also obtained an agreement from Trump to bring up the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, a highly emotive issue for the Japanese.

As even Trump admits, these NK/US talks may not even happen, much less be successful. Hence every issue we can apply as pressure must continue until we achieve an agreement from NK for a verifiable denuclearization.

I am sick of politicians spending time in muckraking. Their level is not different from weekly magazines "Shukan Bunshun" and "Shukan Shincho" - their purpose to divulge scandals of politicians and sell their magazines. The most important role of politicians is to ease people's life.

They do have my blessing to discuss the end of the war. People don’t realize the Korean War has not ended. It’s going on right now. And they are discussing an end to the war. Subject to a deal they have my blessing and they do have my blessing to discuss that,"

Trump talking circles around himself, as usual.

Right, like this is something the US should be involved with in the first place? It's because of poor leadership on the part of Abe and his LDP predecessors that this had to be brought up.

Exactly.

This is not an accomplishment by Abe in any form, it's an admission of his and the LDP's failure to get anything done on their own.

Absolutely all this junk waving has done nothing to get this issue resolved. All the right wing banter has done is hampered the effort rather than help it. Now Abe needs Sam Ojisan's help to make any progress on the issue.

YubaruToday 07:04 am JST

Abe obtained an agreement from Trump to bring up the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea during any summit.

Right, like this is something the US should be involved with in the first place?

Yes it is. 15 Americans are believed detained in North Korea. There WAS a 16th, Otto Warmbler.

North Korea (and South) is trying to take advantage of the situation and get a good deal before Trump is ousted. They know the window for this is closing and that Trump will take almost anything in an attempt to salvage his legacy. Ironically, Trump could actually bumble into ending the Korea war. I question whether the US military-industrial complex actually wants that to happen.

"They do have my blessing to discuss the end of the war. People don’t realize the Korean War has not ended. It’s going on right now. And they are discussing an end to the war. Subject to a deal they have my blessing and they do have my blessing to discuss that," he said.

His "blessing" ? What the hell ?

Like Korea is an underling or something ?

Whatever... enjoy golf next...!

People don’t realize the Korean War has not ended.

Actually, "people" who pay attention do. As usual, Trump treats his new discovery as if he'd found a tag on his sofa saying "Do not remove" - best way to parse Trumpspeak is "people don't realize" = "I didn't know." Anyway, that photo handshake might have well be taken on the Titanic.

They must be both sighing with relief to escape from their scandals of dishonesty, disrespect and dishonourable actions.

Ah - the Joys of Buddy-dom. Chill time - relax, chat, eat some hamburgers and oh.......talk about world peace. 

I mean it was only days ago Trump was bombing people (rightly or wrongly) so what better way to celebrate than a round of golf with good ol' Abey.

Cheers for keeping us all safe you heroes.

Well done to Abe on getting agreement on bringing up the absolutely disgusting NK crime of kidnapping innocents. This will never be forgiven or forgotten, as much as the pathetic NK useful idiots try to minimize it.

Actually most Americans do not realize (or probably care much) that the Korea war never officially “ended”. But sure let’s blame Trump for that too. He can tell us all about it when he personally watches it end due to his direct actions on this issue.

Smokescreen!

This is just a PR stunt to get people's attention off the scandal Abe is involved in.

"See! You can't do without me, I have a great relationship with the most powerful man in the world!"

People of my generation were taught to give a firm handshake and to look people in the eye. Trump would have been rumbled from his first greeting.

dcog9065Today  09:05 am JST

It’s incredibly disturbing and disgusting that some here get so triggered and bitter when progress is made on this issue,

Progress? What progress? Trump actually put it best himself:

"As I always say, we’ll see what happens, because ultimately it’s the end result that matters, not the fact that we’re thinking about having a meeting or having a meeting."

Oh, and just as we've come to expect:

...almost as if they support the kidnaps..

Attempting to smear, discredit and misrepresent anyone whose opinion you don't approve of, as usual?

Absolutely revolting

It would be, if that ridiculous insinuation had any basis at all in truth.

I'm not sure Trump is serious to talk with Kim in summer. Abe talked about kidnapped Japanese more than golfing. American reporters learned that and troubled Abe but Abe's trouble seemed ignored. They are too busy writing about Trump.

That handshake does look firm!

In fact, Trump is bending Abe's wrist and has his hand and arm in an awkward and painful position - and Abe dares not say anything or react (as usual).

A very telling photo.

Pukey, its not a handshake. Its a handgrab..

Trump is bending Abe's wrist and has his hand and arm in an awkward and painful position - and Abe dares not say anything or react (as usual). A very telling photo.

Trump may not be able to remember Abe's name ('Prime Minister Shinzo' he called him last year) or understand exactly what is happening but I bet he remembers this:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Abe-Clinton-discuss-TPP-North-Korea-on-UN-General-Assembly-sidelines2

Hence the weirdly awkward handshake.

Hah! I just saw the video of THIS handshake. Before finally letting go of Abe's hand, Trump patted his hand. You know, how a pet owner pats his little dog on the head. Very telling, AGAIN!

Reading all this column the most important part is this.

"Trump also backed efforts between South Korea and the North aimed to end a state of war that has existed between the two countries since 1953."

The rest will come with stages-For the unification of 2 Koreas or not -these 2 top-leaders will be under the grave.

I came in here just to read the comments to see how many aspects of that photo you people would be all mad about.

You didn't disappoint!

Now, back to work: "Head, shoulders knees and toes knees and toes..."

Creepy photo

If you watch the video of the handshake, after shaking, trump pats Abe’s hand like he is a good dog.

trump pats Abe’s hand like he is a good dog.

Because he is?

How is it that Trump does not know how to shake someone's hand? He messes it up every time. He doesn't have the excuse that he comes from a country (like Japan) where it is not customary to shake hands.

Shinzo Abe - the king of miscalculation and an individual devoid of morals.

How is it that Trump does not know how to shake someone's hand? He messes it up every time. He doesn't have the excuse that he comes from a country (like Japan) where it is not customary to shake hands.

east - Trump was born with a silver spoon. He has never needed to learn how to influence or to socialise with people. Even Kim Il has done a good PR job with the nuclear-tradeoff thing. And the majority of Americans voted for Trump - what a complete embarrassment.

If Trump-Kim Summit goes ahead, PM Abe should be given the next chance for a Summit with Kim right after.Not fair if Japan is pushed back in the line, consudering missiles flying over Hokkaido pose biggest risk to Japan in 70 years.

Trump and PM Abe are great friends as shows in the photo.Summit will be productive and entrench strong relationship.

japan is terrified of the prospect of a unified Korea

Abe has a schoolboy crush on Trump that is developing into full-fledged love. And Trump, dumb as he is, is smart enough to know he can demand what he wants, when he wants, to long as he gives Abe a stratch behind the ears.

And the majority of Americans voted for Trump - what a complete embarrassment.

Trump was elected by a minority of Americans.

This is what happens when you trust Trump and toe the U.S. party line.

Latest word is that the CIA went to meet with Kim in North Korea on the down low.

Imagine that. Earlier this year, Pence was openly snubbing North Korean leaders at the Olympic games. And Abe went right along with it, thinking there was some 'alliance' against North Korea.

Now, South Korea and North Korea are on the verge of an historical declaration of peace to formally end hostilities from the Korean War. Trump is going to meet with Kim one on one. And the odd man left out? Yup, Abe. That's what you get from trusting Trump and his administration.

Abe's saving grace is to re-establish ties with North Korea again.

Another potential Neville Chamberlain moment.

Wow... a rare chance when someone got to shake Dump from the top. Nice power move Abe kun. :P

More comments about personal opinions of Trump and Abe than in the better interests of the nation and this critical time.

@ Civitas Sine Suffragio

Japan is terrified of the prospect of a unified Korea

Based on what knowledge? :)

And Trump, dumb as he is...

trump is actually smart. he just doesn't have any morals. abe is not smart, but has a ton of pre-ww2 morals.

Ganbare Japan!Today 12:16 pm JST

If Trump-Kim Summit goes ahead, PM Abe should be given the next chance for a Summit with Kim right after.Not fair if Japan is pushed back in the line, consudering missiles flying over Hokkaido pose biggest risk to Japan in 70 years.

The artillery that North Korea has on its side of the DMZ ready to pound Seoul with 10,000 rounds per minute is somewhat less important, then.