Japan, Germany Seek Resolution of N. Korea’s Abduction Issue

July 25, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, on Wednesday demanded that North Korea immediately resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by the communist state decades ago.

The demand was included in a joint statement the two released after their meeting at the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Iikura Guest House in central Tokyo.

They also reaffirmed their countries' cooperation over North Korea's denuclearization.

Apparently referring to China's growing maritime assertiveness, Kono and Maas expressed their grave concern over the situation in the East and South China Seas. They also stated their strong opposition to any unilateral action to change the status quo.

On the economic front, the two ministers welcomed the signing of an economic partnership agreement by Japan and the European Union earlier this month. They stressed the importance of rule-based international order, including the multilateral trade system. Jiji Press