Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

Japan’s PM Seeks Summit with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un: A Desperate Attempt to Boost Approval Ratings?

Eugene Park Views  

    도쿄 AP·교도연합뉴스

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan [Photo=Yonhap News Agency]

Reports have emerged that Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan is pushing for a summit with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un to boost his approval ratings.

The Financial Times (FT) quoted U.S. and Japanese officials on the 13th (local time) as saying that Prime Minister Kishida is seeking a summit to resolve the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea. This is seen as an attempt to turn the tide in the face of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s low approval ratings.

Since the earthquake in the Noto Peninsula on the 1st of last month, Prime Minister Kishida has been intensifying diplomatic efforts for a North Korea-Japan summit after North Korean Leader Kim unusually sent a message of condolences. Some Japanese officials view this as a positive signal. However, the FT reported that Japanese officials are wary that North Korea’s proposal could interfere with military cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.

The U.S. is also optimistic about the push for a North Korea-Japan summit. According to the FT, U.S. officials said they would welcome high-level talks between North Korea and Japan if Japan can amicably agree on issues with South Korea in advance.

Many analyses suggest that Prime Minister Kishida is pushing for a North Korea-Japan summit to break through his low approval ratings. Following a political funding scandal in his Liberal Democratic Party, Kishida’s approval rating has fallen below 30%. Prime Minister Kishida is working to boost his approval ratings in this situation. It is also evaluated that his meeting with President Biden in April aims to increase his approval ratings.

Experts have analyzed that if the North Korea-Japan summit is successful, it could lead to a rise in support for candidate Kishida. Political analyst Masatoshi Honda said, “The abduction issue is of high national interest,” and “The only remaining diplomatic card to boost Prime Minister Kishida’s approval ratings is the North Korea-Japan relationship.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Kishida stated at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the 9th that the Japanese government is “actively working on various activities” related to the North Korea-Japan summit it promotes. He said, “Looking at the current state of North Korea-Japan relations, I strongly feel the need to change the situation boldly,” and “I will take the initiative to build relations between the leaders.”

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[ASIA] Latest Stories

  • From Perfect Scorer to Perfect Criminal: The Shocking Gangnam Murder
  • Parole Decision for President's Mother-in-Law: Politics or Justice?
  • North Korea's Immoral Pension Plan Amounts to Less Than $1
  • North Koreans Paying Up to $85,000 to Defect the Country
  • South Korea Exposes North Korea's Human Rights Abuses
  • North Korea Indirectly Warns the U.S. With Nuclear Retaliation Simulation

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features

    TECH 

  • 4
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 5
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

Popular Now

  • 1
    THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Weekly Best Articles

  • New Electric Sedans and SUVs: Volvo Expands Its EV Lineup with Bold Designs
  • Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Tech for Model 3 and Y Set for 2025—Can It Overcome Safety Issues?
  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 3
    Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features

    TECH 

  • 4
    Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles

    TECH 

  • 5
    Fiat’s 'Ugliest Car' Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist

    TECH 

Popular Now

  • 1
    THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution

    BUSINESS 

  • 2
    Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 5
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Share it on...