Japanese media expressed concern over Prime Minister Kishida’s approach to resolving the abduction issue of Japanese nationals while promising to meet with North Korean Workers’ Party General Secretary Kim Jong-un “without any conditions.”
On the 21st, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) published an editorial asking the question, “Is Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is demanding dialogue with North Korea, fully prepared?” and added, “As this is a formidable opponent, we are devising strategic countermeasures.” “It needs to be done,” he pointed out.
Regarding the statement released by Secretary-General Kim’s younger brother, Vice-Minister of the Workers’ Party Kim Yo-jong, while mentioning the possibility of a North Korea-Japan summit, the editorial said, “It is unusual that only Japan was mentioned,” and that the letter of consolation sent to Prime Minister Kishida after the Noto Peninsula earthquake also “sees the same motive.” “It can be interpreted as an action taken.”
He continued, “Aren’t you discovering the meaning of changing the relationship between North Korea and Japan amid the deadlock in relations with South Korea and the United States?” He added, “I heard that Vice Minister Kim Yo-jong did not use the kidnapping issue as an ‘obstacle’ as a condition for Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to North Korea.” . “It is completely unacceptable to shelve pending issues that threaten the lives and safety of Japanese people and increase tensions in the region,” she argued.
At the same time, he pointed out that Prime Minister Kishida must wrestle with the difficult task of how to embody the principle of “we will face Secretary General Kim Jong-un without attaching any conditions” to North Korea and lead to a resolution.
Nikkei emphasized that “calm measures are required to prevent Japan from being swayed or confused by North Korea’s fluctuations,” and that “only the prime minister makes the final decision.”
There was also concern about the possibility that Korea-Japan relations would deteriorate following the North Korea-Japan summit. Nikkei said, “The South Korean government, which is hostile to the Kim Jong-un regime, remains wary of North Korea-Japan relations. He pointed out, “If there is a rift in the three countries of Korea, the United States, and Japan, which are jointly responding to the threat from North Korea, it will be as North Korea thinks.”
In addition, Prime Minister Kishida, whose approval rating continues to be at rock bottom due to the illegal political funding issue that arose within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said, “We must refrain from the easy idea of linking the North Korean issue to boosting the regime,” and added, “There is no need to compromise with North Korea, which has no diplomatic ties.” He pointed out, “Careful preparations that take into account internal and external (situations) and the summit’s determination to overcome (current issues) are necessary.”
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.