Japan’s premier says he’s ready to meet with North Korea’s leader ‘anytime’

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday that he was ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un “at any time” as he sought to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.

Referring to Japan’s desire to resolve all issues with North Korea, including Pyongyang’s series of missile tests and its past abductions of Japanese civilians, Kishida told the ongoing UN General Assembly in New York City: “I would like to meet Kim Jong-un at any time without any conditions.”

Kishida said Japan wants to normalize relations with North Korea and added that he would "like to hold high-level talks under my direct supervision to realize a summit meeting at an early time."

Kishida, who hails from the atomic-bomb hit city of Hiroshima, said nuclear disarmament was his “life-long mission.”

Calling on nuclear weapons states to step up their engagement on nuclear disarmament, he announced that Japan will contribute 3 billion yen ($20 million) “to help achieve a world without nuclear weapons.”

Kishida emphasized that engagement and dialogue with nuclear powered states on disarmament was key, saying “nuclear threats must be ended.”

The money will be spent on research and policymaking in disarmament, he said.

The world is at an historic inflection point, Kishida said, adding that the infringing of international law and changing of the status quo by force were “unacceptable” anywhere in the world.

“Aggression against Ukraine is yet to cease,” he said, urging Russia to respect its territorial integrity, which is a “fundamental principle for international law.”

Kishida said there is a “desperate desire for peace” and “we should work towards a world filled with peace and cooperation, not division.”

Backing strong and effective multilateralism, he stressed the need for a “world caring for human dignity…where (people) live in safety and security.”

In an increasingly divided world, “we need a common language,” he added.

“The international community can overcome divisions through human-centered international cooperation based on the concept of human security,” he said, calling for steps to avoid a food crisis.

On achieving net zero carbon emissions, Kishida said Asian nations remain key in this aspect.

Drawing lessons from COVID-19, he said the world “must be ready for the next infectious disease.”

Kishida said also that Japan would continue its efforts to reform the UN.