Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast



Columns Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast DPRK watchers in Tokyo say abductee issue and US pressure remain hurdles to engagement as Chongryon continues to decline Andrei Lankov February 1, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan spoke at a citizens rally to demand the immediate return of Japanese individuals abducted by North Korea on May 27, 2023 \| Image: Prime Minister’s Office of Japan Late last year, I traveled to Japan to meet with journalists, government analysts and academics knowledgeable about North Korea, seeking their insights on the DPRK and Tokyo’s ties with Pyongyang. And I returned from my trip near certain that, at least for now, Japan is unlikely to engage with North Korea, despite prominent reports to the contrary. Late last year, I traveled to Japan to meet with journalists, government analysts and academics knowledgeable about North Korea, seeking their insights on the DPRK and Tokyo’s ties with Pyongyang. And I returned from my trip near certain that, at least for now, Japan is unlikely to engage with North Korea, despite prominent reports to the contrary. Become a member for less than $4 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast

DPRK watchers in Tokyo say abductee issue and US pressure remain hurdles to engagement as Chongryon continues to decline

Andrei Lankov February 1, 2024

Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan spoke at a citizens rally to demand the immediate return of Japanese individuals abducted by North Korea on May 27, 2023 | Image: Prime Minister’s Office of Japan

Late last year, I traveled to Japan to meet with journalists, government analysts and academics knowledgeable about North Korea, seeking their insights on the DPRK and Tokyo’s ties with Pyongyang.

And I returned from my trip near certain that, at least for now, Japan is unlikely to engage with North Korea, despite prominent reports to the contrary.

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Experts agree: Japan’s ties with North Korea are going nowhere fast

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