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

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I would like to express my profound gratitude to all of you for crossing party lines and coming today to the fourth meeting of the Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for Measures against Abduction Issue, despite your busy schedules.
Two days ago, at a photo exhibition related to the abduction issue held at the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives, I viewed photos of Ms. Megumi Yokota and listened to Mr. and Mrs. Yokota.
Once again I renewed my determination to do everything I possibly can to bring about the day when family members of the abductees can hold their children in their own arms. My mission will not be complete until that day.
Recently, North Korea reached an agreement with Japan to conduct comprehensive and full-scale investigations on all Japanese nationals, including victims of abduction.
North Korea will establish the Special Investigation Committee invested with special authority in order to proceed with the investigations in a concrete and sincere manner, and will commence investigations.
Although it is premature to conjecture about how events will unfold, I believe we were finally able to open the tightly closed door to negotiations on the rescue of the victims of abduction.
However, it is from now and onward that we will establish outcomes.
The Government will make every effort to ensure that we do not miss this opportunity to yield concrete results and to ensure that the investigations lead to a concrete outcome – the return of all victims of abduction to Japan – at our strong urging to the North Korean side.
Today, the distinguished members of the ruling and opposition parties have come together in solidarity again. This precisely will place significant pressure on North Korea, and I would like to thank you all for coming.
I would appreciate your continued cooperation for further strengthening our nationwide efforts."