North Korea: fearing diplomatic sidelines, Japan explores possible meeting between Shinzo Abe and Kim Jong-un
Prospect of a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un as well as talks between North and South Korea, appears to have pushed Tokyo to reassess its position
Japan is considering seeking a summit between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as Tokyo struggles to stay relevant in fast-moving diplomacy with Pyongyang.
Officials in Tokyo would not confirm Wednesday the reports of a potential shift in Japan’s policy, but government spokesman Yoshihide Suga also declined to explicitly deny a summit was being explored.
“What is important is that the three countries, Japan, the US and South Korea, continue to closely coordinate policies,” he said at a regular briefing.
“We wish to make progress on our efforts to reach a comprehensive resolution of the nuclear, missile, and abduction (of Japanese citizens) … and as part of that, we will review our way forward from the perspective of the most effective approach.”
There has been no public suggestion from any side of an Abe-Kim summit.
But Japan’s Kyodo and Jiji Press agencies both reported the possibility was being studied after Tokyo found itself on the back foot with the surprise announcement last week that US President Donald Trump would meet with Kim later this year.