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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met with the families of abductees and attended a Citizens’ Rally, “The Decisive Juncture Continues, We Will Rescue All the Abductees through Sanctions and International Collaboration!” in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to offer a few remarks upon the opening of this citizens’ rally.

Fourteen years ago today, we held a Japan-DPRK summit meeting in Pyongyang, during which then-Chairman of the National Defense Commission Kim Jong-Il officially recognized the abductions.

In the Pyongyang Declaration that the leaders signed after the summit meeting, it states, “Both leaders confirmed the shared recognition that establishing a fruitful political, economic and cultural relationship between Japan and the DPRK through the settlement of unfortunate past between them and the outstanding issues of concern would be consistent with the fundamental interests of both sides, and would greatly contribute to the peace and stability of the region.”

However, to this day, North Korea has not heeded the calls of the international community. It has continuously taken provocative actions, such as the forceful implementation of two nuclear tests and the launch of 21 ballistic missiles since the start of the year. There is a need for the international community to come together and take a resolute response to these outrageous acts by North Korea. .

As for the abduction issue, among all the victims taken by North Korea, only five people and their families have safely returned to Japan. Many of our compatriots still remain in North Korea waiting to be rescued, while their aging families long to be reunited with the blood relatives who they love and miss.

As a politician who has been working for the resolution of this abduction issue from the start, and as someone who attended that Japan-DPRK summit meeting as a Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, it deeply pains me to be facing this solemn reality.

Japan has consistently and firmly upheld the spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration. We strongly demand that North Korea take sincere steps to resolve the outstanding issues of concern including the abductions issue, and nuclear and missile programs.

The abduction issue is a top priority for the Abe Cabinet. There can be no improvement in our relations without the resolution of the abduction issue. I want to once again emphasize that we will never be able to say that the abduction issue has been resolved until all of the abductees have been returned to Japan and the facts have been verified. There has been no change whatsoever to our position that ‘the Abe Cabinet will resolve the abduction issue.’

Under the principles of ‘dialogue and pressure’ and ‘action for action,’ the Government will collaborate with the relevant countries, including the United States, the Republic of Korea, China, and Russia, as well as the United Nations, to make every possible effort on this issue.

We strongly demand that the North Korean leadership return to the spirit of the Pyongyang Declaration; that North Korea recognize that by wasting even more time, it is abandoning its historical responsibilities, which yields no benefit whatsoever and will leave a dark stain on Japan-North Korea relations that cannot easily be removed; and that North Korea seek a swift resolution to the abduction issue through dialogue.

My mission will not be complete until the day comes when all the abductees and their family members can embrace each other. We will always stand together with the abductees and their families.

Prior to this rally, I had the opportunity to meet with the families of the abductees. I once again heard their strong anger at the fact that they continue to grow older without seeing any progress on this issue, as well as their heartfelt desire to see their relatives again as soon as possible.
We will continue to exert every effort to return the abductees to their families at the earliest possible date.

If I may say so once again, we will thoroughly work with the international community to exert pressure on North Korea. We will make them understand that without a change in the current policies by the current North Korean leadership, there will be no positive future for North Korea. The only path for resolving this issue is to make North Korea understand this and then hold negotiations. In order to firmly come together and hold negotiations, I believe that we must first work in careful cooperation with the international community to apply pressure on North Korea.

I will travel to New York from tomorrow to attend the UN General Assembly. I will thoroughly stress the necessity of resolving the abduction issue at the UN as well. I intend to strengthen collaboration with the international community on this matter.

I also believe that it is important for the public to come together on this issue and strongly call on North Korea to resolve the abduction issue and return our fellow citizens to Japan. I am resolved to lead this fight until the very end.

I would like to close my remarks by promising that we will exert every effort to resolve the abduction issue at the earliest possible date. Thank you very much.”