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Prime Minister Meets with
Family Members of the Abductees
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Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda met with family members of the abductees, joined by Ms. Kyoko Nakayama, the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
Prime Minister Fukuda expressed his determination by saying, "I strongly hope that North Korea does what is naturally expected of it and returns the abductees to Japan at the earliest possible date. I would also like to repair the relations with North Korea, if this is feasible. Resolution of the abduction issue is the first step toward this goal, and I am determined to continue our negotiations with North Korea with this conviction firmly in mind." In response, Mr. Shigeru Yokota, representing the families of the abductees, said, "We understand that in the recent election campaign for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidency, you expressed your strong determination to exert leadership to resolve the issue during your premiership. We, the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN), are strongly encouraged by your statement, and hope that such efforts will lead to concrete results." |