Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's meeting Friday with the families of those abducted by North Korean agents made it unmistakably clear that the understanding and support of those relatives -- and of the Japanese public in general -- is essential to progress in the normalization talks that are expected to resume between Japan and North Korea late in October. However, the growing complexities of these state-sponsored abductions seem to have opened a Pandora's box for both countries.
The prime minister briefed the angry families on his Sept. 17 meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang. Mr. Kim for the first time admitted that the kidnappings took place, but gave only sketchy information about the fate of the abductees. The government is reportedly considering a variety of follow-up measures, including arranging relatives' visits to North Korea. An official fact-finding mission left for Pyongyang on Friday.
The responsibility for investigating the kidnapping cases rests primarily with North Korea. But the Japanese government, particularly the Foreign Ministry and the police, must also do their utmost to uncover the truth. The abductees' relatives complain that the government so far has done very little to help them.