Japan will not rule out the possibility of providing humanitarian aid to North Korea if the move is judged to be effective in negotiating the return of all of its citizens who were abducted by Pyongyang in the 1970s and 1980s, the top government spokesman said Monday.
The remarks come a day after a group representing the abductees' families and its supporting entity said in a new campaign policy that they would not oppose giving humanitarian aid to North Korea if it would lead to the victims' return.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the government will continue to explore "every possible option" to "comprehensively resolve outstanding issues of concern with North Korea," including its nuclear and missile development programs.