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On May 10, 2018 (11:12AM), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
On the Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, the Prime Minister said,

“This morning, I received a telephone call from President Trump and we held a Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk. I offered my congratulations on the major accomplishment of the release of the three Americans who had been detained by North Korea. As this release reflects North Korea’s constructive attitude, I would like to welcome this development.
 
While I would like to refrain from touching upon the details, I received a detailed explanation from President Trump on Secretary of State Pompeo’s exchanges with North Korea. I explained to President Trump the overview of the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting and the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting as well as the Japan-China Summit Meeting held yesterday, regarding our detailed and thorough exchanges of views, and information on the Inter-Korean Summit and the China-North Korea Summit Meeting as well as our responses toward the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting.
 
This time, three Americans held by North Korea were released. Meanwhile, unfortunately, concerning the issue of the abductions, many abductees still remain in North Korea. I would like to exert every possible effort to resolve the abduction issue through Japan-U.S. and Japan-U.S.-ROK cooperation, while also collaborating with China.”
 
In addition, regarding an appearance at the Diet by Mr. Tadao Yanase, former Executive Secretary to the Prime Minister, as an unsworn witness, the Prime Minister said,
 
“Concerning the issue related to the opening of a veterinary school in a National Strategic Special Zone, Dr. Tatsuo Hatta, the Chairman of the private sector members of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones, and the rest of the private sector members, all stated at the Diet that nothing inappropriate occurred within the entire process at all, as I have already stated as well. While I could not directly follow this morning’s Budget Committee meeting because I had the Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk along with the preparation and post-meeting analyses, I believe Former Executive Secretary Yanase has answered and will answer honestly, and also hope he would reveal everything.”