Setting up channels for talks with North Korea is necessary for probe into alleged abduction: JCP

Setting up channels for official talks with North Korea is essential to probe into the alleged abduction by North Korea of Japanese nationals,demanded two Japanese Communist Party members in the House of Councilors Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense meeting on April 18.

JCP Yoshioka Yoshinori said that evidence that can prove allegations as facts hold the key to diplomatic negotiations. He asked if Japan's police has sufficient evidence to go to court. The National Police Agency Security Bureau director replied that most of them are at the stage of suspicion, but some can be taken to court.

JCP Koizumi Chikashi called on the government to set up channels for official talks with North Korea as an essential prerequisite for probing into the suspicion of abduction. He also said that normalizing relations between Japan and North Korea requires Japan to seriously consider "settling the past" which North Korea demands from Japan.

Tanaka Hitoshi, Foreign Ministry Asia-Oceanic Affairs Bureau director, acknowledged the need to "settle the past", but stated that it would be difficult to normalize relations without solving the suspicion of abduction. (end)