Diplomatic relations which seem to be improving. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida assured the UN General Assembly on Tuesday September 19 of his “determination” to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, whose recent rapprochement with Russia has raised fears of military collaboration between the two isolated regimes.
“Japan’s policy on North Korea remains unchanged. Japan wants to normalize relations with North Korea,” he told the UN podium. “With a view to opening a new era together, I would like to express my determination to meet Chairman Kim Jong-un face-to-face at any time and without conditions,” he added, specifying that he wanted “organize high-level discussions” under his supervision to enable the organization of this summit “as soon as possible”.
His government spokesperson had already indicated a few days ago that he was ready to meet the North Korean leader “without preconditions.” Former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea twice to meet the father of the current leader, Kim Jong-il.
His first visit in 2002 led to the return of five kidnapped Japanese citizens. But relations then deteriorated and became even more tense after North Korea’s nuclear test in 2006.
