Japan aims to resolve abduction issue firmly at North Korea summit

At a national rally in Tokyo, Takaichi urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to take a "courageous step" together for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries. She stated her readiness to hold talks and take concrete actions to build a fruitful relationship, emphasizing her resolve to make progress without excluding any options. Takaichi has previously approached North Korea to propose a summit meeting, notably without mentioning Pyongyang's nuclear programs, a departure from traditional Japanese policy that linked diplomatic normalization to progress on abductions, nuclear, and missile programs.

However, Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un's sister, has expressed negativity towards a Japan-North Korea summit, stating that Japan should accept North Korea's position that the abduction issue has already been resolved. An informed source suggested that North Korea, which is deepening cooperation with China and Russia, will not respond unless Japan makes proposals beneficial to the country. Experts believe a Japan-North Korea summit is plausible and would likely follow soon after any tangible results from a potential Trump-Kim meeting, with the U.S. anticipating Japan would provide economic aid to Pyongyang if a deal is reached.