Mattis expresses solidarity with Japan over citizens abducted by DPRK

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US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis offered solidarity with Japan on Friday over Japanese abductees being held in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as he sat down for talks in Tokyo focusing on negotiations to denuclearize Pyongyang.

Mattis, who is on the last stop of a trip to Asia that also included stops in China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), noted that Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera was wearing a lapel pin worn in remembrance of the Japanese abducted by the DPRK.

"I note with respect the blue lapel pin you wear, and we’re with you," Mattis said, as he sat down with Onodera for talks at the defense ministry in Tokyo.

Japan has been pressing the United States to make the issue of the abductees a priority in its talks with the DPRK. US Ambassador William Hagerty hosted family members of Japanese abductees at his residence in Tokyo in April and regularly wears the pin.

Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis review an honor guard ahead of their meeting at the Ministry of Defense in Tokyo, Japan, June 29, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Japan, which may seek direct talks with the DPRK to discuss the return of any remaining abductees kidnapped during the 1970s and 1980s, has said it will not provide any economic aid to Pyongyang until the issue is resolved and normal diplomatic relations have been established.

Onodera said he and Mattis would be discussing the DPRK.

Mattis's visit to Japan comes after President Donald Trump said the US will halt large-scale military drills with neighboring ROK during denuclearization talks with the DPRK.

On Thursday in Seoul Mattis defended Trump’s decision to halt “war games,” saying it would help diplomats negotiate, but assured the Seoul of an “ironclad” commitment to its security, including keeping US troop levels there of around 28,500 soldiers.

Mattis described his talks with officials while in China as "very, very" good.

Japan, which hosts some 50,000 American troops, including the biggest overseas concentration of US Marines and a US Navy carrier strike group, relies on Washington for its defense and operates closely with its military.

Source(s): Reuters