Trump to meet with Japanese abductee families

May 14, 2019

Tokyo--U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with family members of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago during his visit to Japan from May 25, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday.

"Japan and the United States will work together toward the resolution of the abduction issue," Abe said at a liaison meeting of the government and the ruling bloc.

"It's important for our country to tackle (the abduction issue) proactively," he said.

"With family members (of the abduction victims) aging, we'll take action decisively without missing any chances to resolve the issue as soon as possible," he added, stressing his readiness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without conditions.

Abe said North Korea's firing of short-range ballistic missiles last week is very regrettable as the act violated U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Abe also indicated that he will hold talks with Trump during his visit to Japan to discuss cooperation for a successful Group of 20 summit, to be held in the western Japan city of Osaka on June 28-29. Jiji Press