North Korea has issued a harsh rebuke of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, with analysts suggesting the strong reaction stems from Pyongyang’s view of her as lacking genuine commitment to improving North Korea–Japan relations. On Thursday, observers noted that Japan may seek to strengthen ties with North Korea through cooperation with the United States rather than through direct bilateral talks.
This analysis appeared in a report titled “Takaichi’s Administration and Prospects for Improving North Korea–Japan Relations”, written by Kim Tae Joo, head of the Regional Strategy Research Office, and Kim Jong Won, a research fellow in the North Korea Research Office at the Institute for National Security Strategy.
The report cited North Korea’s criticism of Takaichi in Rodong Sinmun on October 30, interpreting it as a clear signal of Pyongyang’s unwillingness to compromise on nuclear and abduction issues, despite Takaichi’s repeated calls for a summit.
Rodong Sinmun portrayed Takaichi as a representative of the right-wing conservative faction, highlighting her controversial background and campaign promises. It accused her of whitewashing Japan’s wartime atrocities and defending visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, a contentious symbol of Japanese militarism. The newspaper also lambasted her pledge to amend the constitution to formalize the status of the Self-Defense Forces, claiming this move would fully militarize Japan and revive its imperialistic ambitions of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
The report noted that with North Korea–Japan relations stuck in a stalemate, the United States and South Korea are actively seeking dialogue with Pyongyang. It argued that Japan must also address the abduction issue and concluded that North Korea’s criticism of Takaichi appears to be a strategic effort to gain leverage in potential future negotiations.
The report further analyzed Takaichi’s recent statements, suggesting they reflect a focus on resolving the abduction issue through a summit rather than improving overall bilateral relations. On November 13, Takaichi vowed in a speech to the Japanese House of Councillors to do everything in my power to ensure the swift return of the abductees, a stance that conflicts with North Korea’s claim that the issue has been resolved.
The authors cautioned that if Japan insists on resolving the abduction issue as a precondition for dialogue, progress in bilateral relations will remain elusive, and North Korea will likely refuse to engage. They predicted that North Korea might instead resurrect historical grievances from the colonial era to pressure Japan, potentially derailing any improvement in relations.
In conclusion, the report suggested that Takaichi aims to bolster cooperation with the Trump administration to counterbalance her perceived vulnerability as a female prime minister in Japan’s divided political landscape. She also seeks to align with U.S. efforts toward reconciliation with North Korea. Given the current improbability of a summit focused on the abduction issue, the authors speculated that Takaichi might pursue indirect solutions through enhanced U.S.-Japan cooperation, aiming to address the abduction issue within the framework of U.S.-North Korea dialogues.