Japanese Prime Minister Seeks Summit With Kim Jong Un to Resolve Abduction Dispute

Sanae Takaichi, the newly-elected leader of Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), gestures as she leaves the party leader’s office after the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, on Oct. 4, 2025. Yuichi Yamazaki/APJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her government wants a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to break the deadlock over the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago.If realized, the meeting would mark the first summit between leaders of the two nations in more than 20 years. Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited Pyongyang in 2002 when North Korea admitted to abducting Japanese nationals and allowed five to return home.