Japanese PM Fumio Kishida is pushing for a dialogue with North Korea over the historical abductions of Japanese nationals, a move that might jeopardize his political career, according to analysts.
What Happened: Kishida expressed his plan for talks with North Korea during a citizens’ gathering in Tokyo. However, the possibility of a meeting between Kishida and Kim Jong Un is slim, according to Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, a lecturer at the University of Tokyo, given North Korea’s historical refusal to negotiate on the abduction issue, reported the South China Morning Post.
Pyongyang "will simply refuse to talk about the abduction issue," Yamaguchi said.
Japanese nationals were allegedly abducted by North Korean agents between 1977 and 1983, primarily to teach Japanese language and culture at North Korean spy schools. North Korea admitted to abducting at least 13 citizens in 2002, after initially denying the claims, and released five of the victims.
According to Ulv Hanssen, an associate professor at Tokyo’s Soka University, not addressing the abduction issue during negotiations with Kim Jong-un could spell “political suicide” for Kishida.
Why It Matters: North Korea has generally been averse to discussing the abduction issue, except for a brief dialogue in 2014. Hanssen points out that revealing any information on the remaining abductees could potentially fuel anti-North Korean sentiments in Japan, making it even harder to normalize diplomatic relations.
The recent missile tests and satellite launches by North Korea, which contravene several Security Council resolutions, are likely to add to the complexity. North Korea has launched three Satellite Launch Vehicles and 29 ballistic missiles this year.
Kishida’s push for dialogue with North Korea comes at a time when the country is increasingly isolated, and its relationship with Japan is strained due to historical tensions and ongoing missile tests. The abduction issue is a sensitive topic in Japan, and Kishida’s failure to address it could have severe political repercussions.
Photo by Alexander Khitrov on Shutterstock
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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