Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Headquarters for the Abduction Issue

Prime Minister Taro Aso held the 2nd meeting of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue with all Cabinet members in attendance, including Mr. Takeo Kawamura, Chief Cabinet Secretary who also holds the post of Minister of State for the Abduction Issue. At the meeting, discussions took place on the policy of response to the abduction issue, among other matters.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Aso said, "It was on October 15, 2002 -- six years ago this very day -- that the five abductees returned home to Japan. I had an opportunity to meet with family members of abductees on October 2, which brought home to me their anguish. I reconfirmed their great expectations for the Government to exert strong efforts. With three decades already passed since the incidents occurred, the issue is becoming much like a race against time. We have no time to lose. Today I reiterate that there will be no normalization of relations with North Korea unless the abduction issue is resolved under the basic policy of comprehensively resolving the abduction, nuclear and missile issues and settling the unfortunate past. I ask the Cabinet members to gather together all the wisdom and information within the realm of the Government and to make the utmost efforts to resolve the abduction issue."

Related Link

• Abductions of Japanese Citizens by North Korea (Headquarters for the Abduction Issue)