TOKYO —

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura on Tuesday urged the United States to consider North Korea’s abductions of Japanese citizens before it removes that country off its list of terrorist nations. Speaking at the the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, Komura said, “Listing North Korea as a sponsor nation for terrorism is America’s decision. I understand that the U.S. is getting ready to remove North Korea from the list once Pyongyang makes a declaration detailing its nuclear programs. But if the U.S. does that, we hope it will spur North Korea to resolve the abduction issue.”

Komura said he will discuss the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this week during a preparatory meeting in Kyoto for next month’s G-8 summit.

Komura said that Japan is ready to normalize relations with North Korea “tomorrow.” He said it totally depends on North Korea showing progress on the abduction and nuclear issues. However, the foreign minister was cautious about North Korea’s nuclear missile program. “We cannot give them a large amount of economic assistance because they might use it for further nuclear weapons development.”

During the press conference, Komura also touched on the possibility of dispatching Japan’s Self-Defense Forces to Afghanistan. He said the government will consider the needs of Afghanistan, but said that because of constitutional restrictions, it might be necessary to enact a new law to enable the dispatch.

In the area of aid for Africa, where Japan has recently shown an active commitment, Komura said the successful economic growth in Asia after World War II can be a good role model for Africa through both aid via the United Nations and bilateral relationships with African countries. 

With climate issues likely to top the G-8 summit agenda, Komura said the Japanese governmental will focus on creating a new international framework for a post-Kyoto protocol. He said Japan will try its best to show its leadership to make an agreement between developed and developing countries. He also called for the United States, Brazil and India to join the new framework.

Asked about Iran’s nuclear program, Komura said: “Iran has a right to peaceful use of nuclear technology as long as it can prove what it is doing to the international community through the IAEA. Unfortunately, Iran doesn’t have the trust of the international community.”

Wrapping up the press conference, one foreign reporter asked Komura about capital punishment in Japan. “There are cultural differences between countries on this issue. Japan conducts capital punishment based on due process of law. No other country has the right to complain about it. I would never complain to other countries about their internal affairs.”

8 Comments

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  Badsey at 06:37 AM JST - 25th June

  NK should have never been on the "terrorist list" to begin with. It was a kick them when they are down mentality = and what did it do? Made the situation much worse and sent NK in the wrong direction.

  Work out your issues and help these people for a stronger Asia.

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  Zen_Builder at 07:05 AM JST - 25th June

  NK was part of the "Enemy Picture" same as the jews were during the 1930~1940's and the Muslims(Brown people/George Carlin reference) are now.

  Common theme across the ages, if you don't have an "Enemy Picture" you can't push your own policies/agendas. It is an established tool across and been used many times.

  Most countries/people across the world are aware of it and see through the smoke-screens put up　ｂｙ their goverments.

  Said that "enemy picture" can be used for ANY purpose from terrorism through to whaling issues.

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  OssanULTRA at 07:55 AM JST - 25th June

  "NK should have never been on the "terrorist list" to begin with"

  They blew up and killed South Korean govt officials.

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  thepro at 09:02 AM JST - 25th June

  deja vu

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  timorborder at 10:43 AM JST - 25th June

  The government of North Korea is little more than a terrorist or organized crime cabal. Look at their record on human rights, drug manufacturing, terrorist bombings (in Burma and the KAL incident, etc), counterfeiting, etc. If such a list of terrorist nations is necessary, North Korea should be on it and remain on it. The simple fact that the US is considering easing restrictions on North Korea is a damning indictment on how fundamentally corrupt and devoid US foreign policy has become under the current administration. Sucking up to North Korea is just another demonstration that the current powers in Washington are totally out of their depth.

  At the same time, Japan needs to realize who it is dealing with in North Korea. Despite the sad nature of the reality, I think there is not much chance of getting more abductees back from Kim Jong Ill.

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  chardk1 at 11:00 AM JST - 25th June

  I sympathize with the families, but it is pretty obvious they expect the world to stop turning until they get justice, and that's just not realistic. So the US turned its back on them? Over 500 Koreans were abducted by the NK's, the Japanese government and people have always dismissed that as "not their issue." Which is fair BUT if Japanese can't be expected to give a rat's heinie about 500 Koreans, why do they blame the US for doing the same over 20 Japanese? A little consistency is all I ask for.

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  wilbur at 05:51 PM JST - 25th June

  completely unrelated...the terror list is a US-NK issue...the abductions a NK-japan issue

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  OssanULTRA at 04:16 AM JST - 26th June

  The abductions are a Japan/SKOrea/and a few other countries issue. Narcotics is a Japan/Australia/some other Asian countries issue. Counterfeit currency is a US/Japan issue.

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