Japanese Prime Minister wants to meet Kim: North Korea

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida requested a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This was claimed by Kim's sister Kim Yo Jong on Monday. He said, if Tokyo does not change its policy, the possibility of such a meeting between the two leaders is low.

North Korea and Japan—the two countries have a historical conflict. One of the reasons for this conflict is the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents several decades ago and Pyongyang's use of prohibited weapons. However, Fumio Kishida recently expressed interest in developing relations between the two countries.

Last year, Kishida said he was interested in meeting Kim Jong Un "under any conditions". His country wants to resolve the crisis caused by the kidnapping of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. The kidnapping is still an emotional issue for the Japanese.

According to North Korea's state news agency KCNA, Fumio Kishida immediately expressed interest in a personal meeting with Kim Jong Un. But if Tokyo does not make a real change in its policies, it will be impossible to get out of the mistrust and misunderstanding about North Korea and Japan.

Kishida said today that he did not know about the KCNA report. He did not directly comment on this report. However, he said, it is "important" to hold high-level talks with North Korea. That is why he continues to strive in various ways.