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Japan PM ready to meet Kim Jong-un on abduction issue

Japan PM ready to meet Kim Jong-un on abduction issue

Prachachat•International•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi signals readiness for a summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un to resolve the decades-long citizen abduction issue.

  • •Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi is willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to discuss the abduction of Japanese citizens.
  • •A recent election victory provides Prime Minister Takahashi with political stability, creating an opportunity for negotiation.
  • •Families of abductees are proposing that sanctions be eased or diplomatic relations be established to facilitate talks.

Overview

  • •On February 16, 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi met with families of Japanese abductees.
  • •Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi announced on X (Twitter) her readiness to converse with Leader Kim at a summit, fostering a vision of shared peace and prosperity for Japan and North Korea.
  • •The issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korean agents during the 1970s and 1980s, reportedly 17 individuals, some of whom remain unaccounted for, has been a humanitarian and historical scar for Japan.
  • •Takuya Yokota, brother of abductee Megumi Yokota, proposed that the Japanese government consider lifting sanctions or initiating diplomatic ties with North Korea.
  • •Takuya Yokota stated that North Korea prefers negotiating with a government that possesses absolute power and long-term political stability, which Prime Minister Takahashi's administration currently embodies.
  • •The Liberal Democratic Party’s overwhelming victory in the general election on February 8, 2026, has stabilized Prime Minister Takahashi's government.
  • •Japan will closely discuss the abduction issue during the upcoming Japan-U.S. Summit in March.
  • •Prime Minister Takahashi may utilize the U.S.'s revised security strategy in Asia to mediate North Korea's return to the negotiating table for economic matters and denuclearization.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Sanae Takahashi
"I am ready to talk to Leader Kim at a summit, so that both Japan and North Korea can envision a shared peace and prosperity."
ฉันพร้อมคุยกับผู้นำคิมในซัมมิท เพื่อให้ทั้งญี่ปุ่นและเกาหลีเหนือวาดภาพมีสันติภาพและความมั่งคั่งร่วมกันได้
Takuya Yokota
"North Korea prefers to negotiate with governments that have absolute power and long-term political stability, which Prime Minister Takahashi's government currently possesses."
เกาหลีเหนือนิยมเจรจากับรัฐบาลที่มีอำนาจเบ็ดเสร็จและมีความมั่นคงทางการเมืองระยะยาว ซึ่งรัฐบาลทาคาอิชิในตอนนี้มีคุณสมบัตินั้นครบถ้วน

Key Entities

Person

Sanae Takahashi(ซานาเอะ ทาคาอิชิ)ℹ️
Prime Minister of Japan who is willing to engage in diplomacy with North Korea regarding the abduction of Japanese citizens.
Kim Jong-un(คิม จอง อึน)ℹ️
Supreme Leader of North Korea, with whom Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi is willing to negotiate.
Megumi Yokota(เมกุมิ โยโกตะ)ℹ️
A symbolic abductee whose case is a focal point in the discussions between Japan and North Korea.
Takuya Yokota(ทาคุยะ โยโกตะ)
Brother of abductee Megumi Yokota, who is advocating for a shift in Japanese policy towards North Korea, including potential sanctions relief.
Minoru Kihara(มิโนรุ คิฮาระ)ℹ️
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan who revealed that the abduction issue will be discussed at the Japan-U.S. Summit.
Sakie Yokota(ซากิเอะ โยโกตะ)ℹ️
Mother of abductee Megumi Yokota, who pleaded for a chance to reunite with her daughter, appealing to Japanese public sentiment.

Place

North Korea(เกาหลีเหนือ)ℹ️
Country whose leader, Kim Jong-un, is being approached by Japan for talks concerning the abduction of Japanese citizens.
Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
Country whose Prime Minister, Sanae Takahashi, is actively pursuing diplomatic engagement with North Korea on the abduction issue.

Organization

Liberal Democratic Party(พรรคเสรีประชาธิปไตย)ℹ️
The Japanese political party whose recent election victory has strengthened Prime Minister Takaichi's government.
X (Twitter)ℹ️
The social media platform where Prime Minister Sanae Takahashi made a public statement regarding her willingness to meet Kim Jong-un.