Asahi wrote that it has learned from a GOJ source that the diplomatic blue book for 2019, slated for release on April 23, will not include the phrase “increase pressure on the DPRK to the maximum level” that was used last year. The paper speculated that the omission is aimed at coaxing the DPRK to address the abduction issue. The blue book will also omit a sentence included last year that described North Korea’s nuclear and missile development as a “serious and imminent threat” because Pyongyang has not conducted any nuclear tests or launched any ballistic missiles since 2018. The paper conjectured that Prime Minister Abe’s desire to hold talks with DPRK leader Kim Jong Un is behind the omissions.