Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first meeting of the Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for Measures against Abduction Issue at the Prime Minister's Office.

In his address, the Prime Minister said,

"The government newly established the 'Headquarters on the Abduction Issue' the other day, composed of all Ministers of State, so as to promote comprehensive measures on the abduction issue.
In the first meeting of the Headquarters on the Abduction Issue, basic policy for the Abe administration for resolving the abduction issue was decided.
I met with the family members of the abductees immediately after the inauguration of the administration. Many of the family members are now elderly, which means that there is no time to lose.
It is needless to say that the abduction issue is an important issue related to the sovereignty of Japan and the lives and safety of the people, and effort must be put into this problem by all parties, with an 'all-Japan' attitude.
Efforts by all parties in Japan also means sending a strong message to North Korea and Kim Jong-Un.
People from each party here today are those who are leading efforts for resolving the abduction issue.
From now on, I would like to strongly ask for your cooperation in active exchange of information utilizing the occasion of this Liaison Council, so as to further reinforce efforts under the 'all-Japan' attitude."