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On July 3, DPJ President Banri Kaieda was asked by reporters for his thoughts on the government’s decision to partially lift sanctions which Japan had unilaterally imposed on North Korea. He responded, “I think that the fact that investigations [into the fate of abductees] will take place is a welcome development, but the Japanese government needs to provide a detailed explanation of whether specific information has been provided which justifies the lifting of sanctions.” He said that the DPJ would call on the government to provide an explanation by holding intensive deliberations in the Diet during the recess.
Kaieda commented that North Korea, while promising to undertake investigations into the abduction issue on the one hand, had on the other launched short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan, stating, “That is the kind of country it is, so it is necessary for us to monitor carefully exactly what kind of investigations are taking place when proceeding with easing of sanctions. ‘We set up a committee and carried out investigations, but could turn up nothing’ is totally unacceptable. The Japanese government needs to make clear what evidence they have obtained.”
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