Citizens’ Rally to Demand the Immediate Return to Japan of All Abductees at the Same Time

[Provisional translation]

On November 26, 2023, Prime Minister Kishida attended the Citizens’ Rally to Demand the Immediate Return to Japan of All Abductees at the Same Time held in Tokyo.
 
Prime Minister Kishida said in his address,
 
“I am KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan. I would like to offer a few words on the occasion of the citizens’ rally today.
 
At the outset of today’s rally, Ms. Yokota and Ms. Soga again shared with us their earnest and painful thoughts. It is truly regrettable to me that we have not been able to bring back a single abductee since 2002, and the Government once again takes this fact seriously.
 
With regard to North Korea, the Government of Japan seeks to normalize its relations with North Korea through comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues, and settling the unfortunate past, in accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration of 2002. In particular, a year has passed since I said, ‘the abduction of Japanese nationals, an issue whose resolution has time constraints, is a human rights issue about which we cannot let our mindfulness dwindle for even a moment, as the families of the victims continue to age.’ In Japan, the sense of urgency is growing stronger not only among the families of the abductees but also among the public.
 
As we steadily share such a sense of urgency, we will do our utmost to boldly tackle the issue to realize the return of all the abductees to Japan at the earliest possible date.
 
On November 21, North Korea conducted a launch using ballistic missile technology aimed at launching a satellite that flew over the Japanese archipelago. This is a grave issue that concerns the security of our people and is extremely regrettable and totally unacceptable for Japan.
 
On the other hand, despite the severe situation surrounding North Korea, the need for the earliest possible resolution of the abductions issue is unchanged.
 
At the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit Meeting held in August this year, I asked for continued understanding and cooperation for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and I once again received full support from President Biden and President Yoon.
 
While urging the international community to provide support in this way, Japan also needs to act proactively.
 
Establishing a fruitful relationship between Japan and North Korea is in the interests of both sides, and will greatly contribute to peace and stability in the region. However, the longer the current situation drags on, the more difficult it may become to realize a new relationship between Japan and North Korea. We must not waste even a moment and boldly change the current situation.
 
To this end, I believe it is extremely important for Japan to act proactively and build a relationship between the leaders of Japan and North Korea.
 
This is why I have always said that I am determined to meet with Chairman Kim Jong-Un face-to-face anytime without any conditions, and I will do everything within my power in this regard.
 
While continuing to take every opportunity to convey to Chairman Kim my determination in light of resolving pending issues between Japan and North Korea so that both sides will together carve out a new era, I have said that we will advance high-level discussions under my direct initiative to realize a Summit Meeting at an early date.
 
To this end, we are constantly making various efforts through various channels, and we will further intensify our efforts to realize a Summit Meeting as soon as possible.
 
I call for both sides to overcome every obstacle from a broad perspective and to together make decisions for peace and stability in the region and the international community and for both sides.
 
Today, a firm, unanimous resolve of the Japanese citizens was expressed in this meeting. This will serve as a strong push toward the settlement of the abductions issue. I believe that it is this voice which will push the international community and then North Korea into action.
 
While expressing my sincere gratitude toward such strong support received from many people, united in purpose with those seeking the abductees’ return, I will stand at the fore as the Prime Minister and do my utmost to take on this issue, with the entire Government working as one. Let me conclude my remarks by pledging this once again at today’s meeting.”