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The Japanese government consulted with relevant officials in the U.S. government regarding the conclusion of talks held between Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Stockholm last month, local media reported Wednesday.
According to the reports, Foreign Ministry Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau chief Junichi Ihara met U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Glyn Davies in Washington during which the outcome of government-level talks between Japan and the DPRK was discussed.
Ihara conveyed to the U.S. side that the DPRK had committed to conducting a full investigation into the abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s and that Japan would ease its sanctions once the probe is fully-launched by Pyongyang.
Ihara said that the meeting, held in Washington on Wednesday, was extremely comprehensive and the U.S. side concluded the meeting stating they had a clearer understanding of the situation.
The bureau chief also said the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring the DPRK's nuclear ambitions.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe previously remarked that the probe from the DPRK's side would be thorough and involve the setting up of a new special commission to facilitate the probe.
He said that as a result of the Japan-DPRK talks, the DPRK side had promised to the Japanese side that it would make a comprehensive and thorough investigation into confirmed and suspected abductions.
Japan, for its part, has agreed to lift some of its sanction on the DPRK, including those pertaining to human travel, wire transfers and vessels entering ports here. "Japan has decided to lift special restrictions on travel by people, reporting requirements on remittances as well as the ban on North Korea-registered vessels entering Japanese ports for humanitarian purposes," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga previously.
The sanction easing will come into effect when Pyongyang fully launches the probe, government officials here have said, with Abe himself urging the DPRK to do its utmost to resolve the adduction issue. "We were able to open a long-closed door in negotiations for a chance to rescue abduction victims," Abe was previously quoted as saying, "I would like to urge North Korea to keep its promise."
In 2002 the DPRK admitted to having abducted 13 Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s, but has repeatedly stated since that the matter has already been settled with Japan, with five of the abductees allowed to return home to Japan and the remaining eight being declared dead.