Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Following Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Japan’s Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi was asked if Trump could threaten North Korea as he has Hamas in Gaza – Trump said he would “turn Gaza into Hell if the Israeli hostages weren’t returned – but the Foreign Minister could only offer platitudes in reply.

“Regarding the immediate resolution of the problem, I think it was a great achievement for Prime Minister Ishiba to ask for the continued understanding and cooperation from President Trump and to obtain full support from President Trump,” Iwaya said on Friday. “I believe that this contributed to our country’s proactive efforts to solve the kidnapping problem.”

Iwaya skirted the reference to Gaza and Hamas and tried to re-center the conversation on Ishiba’s meeting with Trump.

“Under the strong relationship of trust and cooperation between Japan and the United States, including the leaders, I would like to work with Prime Minister Ishiba’s strong determination to think about the most effective way for the government to move forward, and I think that we should solve it proactively while obtaining the cooperation of the United States.”

North Korea has denied that there are any more abductees in the country despite Japan’s constant claims.

Japan officially says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korea, while the North will only admit to 13. Unofficially, 883 people were believed to have been abducted. That figure was reduced to 879 when four of those believed to have been kidnapped were found in Japan.