Regarding the issue of abductions by North Korea, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi met with the mayors of the three cities in Niigata and Fukui prefectures where the returned abductees live, aiming to hold a Japan-North Korea summit meeting to quickly resolve the issue. I told you my thoughts.
On the evening of the 16th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi held talks at the Prime Minister's Office with the mayors of Kashiwazaki City and Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, where abductees who returned from North Korea live, and Obama City, Fukui Prefecture.
During the meeting, the mayors handed over a written request requesting that the government resolve the issue through direct negotiations with North Korea.
In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said, ``It is extremely regrettable that not even a single abductee has been able to return home since 2002, and we take this very seriously.''
``Prime Minister Kishida intends to proceed with high-level discussions under the Prime Minister's direct control in order to realize the Japan-North Korea summit meeting, and will do everything in his power with a firm determination to bring back all the abductees.'' .
After the meeting, Mayor Sakurai of Kashiwazaki City told reporters, ``Given Kim Yo Jong's statement, I hope the government will seize the moment and move strongly toward a complete resolution.'' said.