Japan PM Takaichi Tells North Korea Abductee Families She Will Seek Progress on Kidnapping Issue

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told a rally organized by families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea that her government would continue efforts to resolve the issue, saying she would consider all options including possible summit talks. Takaichi called on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to cooperate on the issue.

“Whatever it takes, I will resolve the abduction issue by making a breakthrough during my time (in office),” she told the gathering. The rally was organised by family members of those abducted by North Korea and their supporters. Takaichi, who became prime minister in October 2025, said the government is tackling the issue seriously with a determination not to miss the slightest chance of making concrete progress as soon as possible, even by a day or an hour.

The Japanese government officially lists 17 Japanese nationals as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five abductees were returned in 2002 after then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi met then-North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang on 17 September that year. That meeting was the first-ever summit between Japan and North Korea.

The two countries do not maintain diplomatic ties. The last summit was held in 2004 when Koizumi and Kim met again in Pyongyang.