Korea, Japan: Kishida confirms availability to meet Kim Jong-un

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated his willingness to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, "as soon as possible" to "resolve outstanding issues" between the two countries and "open a new era" of relations.

"In order to resolve the outstanding issues between Japan and North Korea, and with a view to ushering in a new era for both sides, I intend to take every opportunity to express my wish. As I bring it to the attention of the (Workers' Party of Korea) General Secretary Kim Jong-un, in order to hold a summit as soon as possible, I intend to hold consultations with high-ranking officials under my direct subordination," the premier said.

One of the major unresolved issues between Japan and the DPRK is the issue of Japanese nationals being forcibly detained in North Korea since the 1970s and 1980s. Tokyo insists DPRK intelligence has kidnapped at least 17 Japanese nationals since the 1970s, DPRK has admitted to only 13 facts. Five of the Japanese were able to return to their homeland after former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the DPRK in 2002 and 2004. The remaining eight people, as the North Korean side assures, died, but Japan considers the evidence of death false presented and calls for the extradition of all the people he defines as hostages.