Japan Press Weekly

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2011 October 19 - 25 [FOREIGN POLICY]

Proactive diplomatic strategy needed to resolve Japan-DPRK issues: Kasai

Japanese Communist Party representative Kasai Akira on October 24 at a meeting of the Lower House Ad-hoc Committee on the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents demanded that Japan have a proactive diplomatic strategy to resolve the pending issues lying between the two countries.

Kasai said, “Based on the procedure confirmed in the Six-Party Talks, Japan needs to seek a comprehensive solution” to such concerns as the North Korean kidnapping of Japanese citizens and its nuclear and missile development programs.

Kasai said, for example, that dialogue between North Korea and the nations concerned increased since China put forward a 3-step approach in April towards resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

In contrast, Kasai pointed out that Japan continues to drag its feet although North Korea in 2008 agreed on a reinvestigation into the abduction issue.

Kasai asked Foreign Minister Genba Koichiro, “What kinds of diplomatic initiatives do you think you will take?”

Genba answered, “I will use the 2008 agreement as a starting point” to deal with the abduction issue.

Kasai again urged the Japanese government to initiate more proactive foreign policies to encourage a positive response from North Korea.

Genba in reply said, “I will create an environment” for bilateral dialogue.