Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the sixth 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 sixth meeting of the Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for Measures against Abduction Issue, despite your busy schedules.
Since the meeting in Shenyang at the end of last month, we have been asking for opinions, in a variety of forms, from family members of the abductees, relevant members of each party, and others, on the response to the investigation by North Korea. Today as well, I would like to receive your opinions.
I accept that there are a variety of opinions on the investigation by North Korea, particularly related to the dispatch of people in charge of this issue within the Government to Pyongyang.
As the same time, through the Abe Administration’s stance of ‘dialogue and pressure,’ we have conducted negotiations on the abduction issue, prying open a heavy door, ensuring the investigation of these issues and moving away from North Korea’s past position that the issue was resolved. I believe that we need to persistently pursue negotiations based on the principles of ‘dialogue and pressure’ and ‘action for action.’
It goes without saying that the resolution of the abduction issue is a top priority for the Abe Administration. My mission will not be complete until the day comes when the family members of every single abductee are able to embrace their abducted relatives in their own arms. I am determined. We will continue to strongly seek swift investigations by North Korea and the quick and correct reporting of results to Japan toward the return home of all abductees.
I would like to ask that everyone here today continue to offer us your frank insights. I would like to decide after this meeting of the Liaison Council whether we should dispatch people in charge of this issue within the Government to Pyongyang, and what the Government response should be, based on your opinions.”