Japan Aiming to Comprehensively Solve Abduction, Nuclear, Missile Issues

   Tokyo, May 11 (Jiji Press)--With the schedule fixed for the first-ever U.S.-North Korea summit, the Japanese government plans to work closely with Washington so that the historic meeting will lead to a comprehensive resolution of the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago and its nuclear and missile development programs.
   After analyzing the outcome of the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore on June 12, Japan will explore the possibility of holding direct dialogue with North Korea in order to bring abduction victims back home, sources familiar with the situation said.
   "I want President Trump to make a major breakthrough utilizing his ability of making deals," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a television program on Friday, pinning high hopes on the U.S.-North Korea summit.
   Even if the Trump-Kim summit is successfully held, and the nuclear and missile issues move toward solution, however, the abduction issue cannot be resolved unless negotiations are held between Japan and North Korea, he said.
   A Japan-North Korea summit, if held, must lead to the resolution of the abduction issue, he said, stressing the need for Kim to make a decision.

(2018/05/12-01:23)