Press Conference by the Chief Cabinet Secretary (Excerpt)

Opening Statement by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga
(There was a statement on the overview of the Cabinet meeting.)
 
Q&As
 
(Abridged)
 
REPORTER: I have a question about the abduction issue, which was also raised in the Japan-U.S. summit telephone talk yesterday. Prime Minister Abe emphasized the vital importance of the resolution of the abduction issue. There are various ways to resolve this issue. Could you tell us again what the “resolution of the issue” means from the Government’s viewpoint? Please also share with us the number of abductees currently recognized by the Government, along with your response.
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: As we have repeatedly stated, the Government will exert every efforts to address various issues towards the resolution of the abduction issue: ensuring safety and immediately returning all the abductees, regardless of whether they have been identified by the Government, giving full accounts of the truth in all abduction cases, and handing over to Japan the criminals who participated in the abductions. Of the 17 abductees identified by the Government, 12 have still not been returned to Japan. The Government will continue to call on North Korea to fully implement the Stockholm Agreement and return all of the abductees to Japan without further delay, which is a matter of utmost importance for Japan, regardless of whether they have been identified by the Government or not.
 
REPORTER: So, are you saying that until the return home of the 12 abductees currently identified by the Government, the issue will not be considered as being resolved?
 
CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY SUGA: The Government’s position is as I have just described it.
 
(Abridged)