On Dec. 1, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu said, “It’s extremely important for Japan to act independently and build a relationship between the leaders of our nation and North Korea” to resolve the abduction issue. He made the remark during the recording of the shortwave radio program “Furusato no kaze [Wind from home]” dedicated to the Japanese nationals who have been abducted by North Korea and have not returned home yet. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed his willingness to meet with Workers’ Party of Korea General Secretary Kim Jong Un.

“We are making every effort to return all abductees to Japan as soon as possible,” underscored Matsuno. The program will be aired to North Korea from Dec. 6 through 12.