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On June 12, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference regarding the U.S.-North Korea summit talks at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
“First of all, I express my most sincere respect for President Trump’s leadership and efforts in the lead-up to today’s U.S.-North Korea summit talks.
Through today’s summit meeting, Chairman Kim Jong Un’s will towards the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula was confirmed once again, in a written manner.
I support this as a step towards the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea.
And regarding the abduction issue, which is important to us -- to Japan -- I highly commend the fact that President Trump reliably brought up all the things I had spoken to him about the other day.
I thank President Trump for explicitly bringing up the abduction issue.
I also intend to speak with President Trump over the telephone and hear the details.
Towards the resolution of the outstanding issues of concern regarding North Korea, including the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues, I intend to continue to make every possible effort, working in solid Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-Republic of Korea cooperation, as well as in firm cooperation with China, Russia, and the rest of the international community.
Needless to say, I am determined that the abductions issues must be resolved bilaterally, with Japan squarely facing North Korea.
 
As for the outcome document, it is exactly as the U.S. side has already explained.
Meanwhile, ultimately the resolution of the abductions issue will be an issue that must be negotiated between Japan and North Korea as a bilateral issue, under Japan’s responsibility.
In light of that, firstly, President Trump brought up directly to Chairman Kim Jong-Un the necessity of resolving this issue. This is the first time this has happened.
This is the first time that the President of the United States has referred to this explicitly towards Chairman Kim Jong-Un. Moving forward, Japan will firmly make all possible efforts towards the resolution of this issue.
Moreover, I believe this is an issue that must be resolved between Japan and North Korea. ”