National May 23, 2019
Desperate families of Japanese abducted by North Korea pin hopes on help from Trump
by Elaine Lies
Takuya Yokota chokes up as he talks about a photograph of his older sister, Megumi, whom he has not seen since she was abducted from a beach by North Korean agents one winter evening 41 years ago. Megumi, 13 at the time, is one of ...
National May 17, 2019
Japan to keep North Korea-linked association Chongryon under surveillance
The government said Friday that the pro-Pyongyang General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, or Chongryon, remains subject to surveillance under the Subversive Activities Prevention Law. The government "can't deny the possibility that the association will conduct destructive activities depending on future circumstances," it said ...
Asia Pacific May 12, 2019
by Jesse Johnson
North Korea has lashed out at the United States for criticizing it over human rights abuses, with the country's Foreign Ministry warning such moves were pushing Pyongyang in "a direction where the U.S. does not want to see." A senior official with the Foreign Ministry's ...
National / Politics May 10, 2019
In rare overseas trip, Suga agrees Japan will work closely with U.S. over North Korean missiles
The pair discussed how to coordinate on North Korea’s “projectile” launches, U.N. sanctions and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s plan to engage leader Kim Jong Un on the abduction issue.
Commentary / Japan May 9, 2019
The market is open for Japan and North Korea
by Michael Macarthur Bosak
After years of being shut out from direct dealings with Pyongyang, it appears there is finally a window of opportunity for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to make contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. With negotiations between North Korea, the United States and South ...
Editorials May 8, 2019
The prime minister has indicated his readiness to be bold and creative in pursuit of better relations with Pyongyang.
National / Politics | FOCUS May 8, 2019
North Korea may begin making contact with Japan, sources close to the matter suggested Tuesday, a day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed willingness to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un "without conditions." North Korea has criticized Abe for using the ...
National May 2, 2019
North Korean authorities have given no public indication of any willingness to meet Abe.
National / Politics Apr 23, 2019
Japan softens tone on North Korea and Russia in foreign policy report as Abe pursues deals
Tokyo removed a reference to applying “maximum pressure” on Pyongyang and stopped short of explicitly claiming ownership of the Russian-held islands off Hokkaido.
National / Politics Apr 9, 2019
Japan extends sanctions on North Korea by two years over abductions and nuclear weapons
Japan decided Tuesday to extend its sanctions against North Korea for two years, maintaining pressure on Pyongyang to denuclearize and resolve its past abductions of Japanese nationals. The sanctions approved for extension by the Cabinet before they expire on Saturday impose a total ban on ...
National / Politics Apr 6, 2019
Japan's top government spokesman eyes U.S. trip in May to raise abduction issue
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga may visit the United States early next month to seek support for resolving the long-standing issue of Japanese who were abducted by North Korea, government sources have said. The trip, possibly from May 9 to 12, will be a rare ...