*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2017 *

**Remarks in a Meeting With Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and Japanese Citizens Abducted by North Korea in Tokyo, Japan **

*November 6, 2017 *

*President Trump.* Well, thank you very much. We've just heard the very sad stories about family members: daughters, wives, brothers, uncles, fathers. It's a very, very sad number of stories that we've heard. And they were abducted, in all cases, by North Korea. And we will work with Prime Minister Abe on trying to get them back to their loved ones.

In some cases, many years ago, they were taken. They were used to learn the language. They were used for many different reasons. But it's a tremendous disgrace. And I just met some really wonderful people who have gone through a lot.

So I will work with Prime Minister Abe. We'll work together very closely and see if we can bring them back to by Japan, where they want to be. Thank you very much.

*Prime Minister Abe.* President Trump, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for what you delivered: the speech at the U.N. General Assembly. The speech by the American President on the occasion of the U.N. General Assembly is something that the entire world would pay attention to. And in this special speech that you delivered, you specifically touched on the fate of Ms. Megumi Yokota, as well as the abductions issue. And I do appreciate that you specifically refer to this issue.

And also I am grateful for you, that you are taking time out of your schedule to have this discussion with the family members, as well as the—one of the abductees who could come back from North Korea to Japan.

And my sincere hope is that, through this event, as well as the press conference, I would like to encourage the entire world to know the simple reality when it comes to the abductions issue. As long as 40 years, there are those who have been suffering because of the loss of their loved ones as well as the family members. And this is the suffering that has caused in the abductions issue.

So I renew my determination to do my utmost to realize a day when those of the family members could hold their daughters and sons and their family members with their actual arms. And also, I'd like to reiterate my commitment to working very closely with President Trump and other world leaders toward resolving this abductions issue.

So, once again, Mr. President and Madam First Lady, thank you very much.

NOTE: The President spoke at 2:34 p.m. at the Akasaka Palace. In his remarks, Prime Minister Abe referred to Megumi Yokota, a Japanese citizen who was abducted by North Korean authorities in 1977; and Hitomi Soga, a Japanese citizen who was abducted by North Korean authorities in 1978. Prime Minister Abe spoke in Japanese, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter.

*Categories:* Addresses and Remarks : Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, meeting with President Trump in Tokyo, Japan; Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Japan, Prime Minister Abe*.* *Locations: *Tokyo, Japan.* *

*Names:* Abe, Shinzo*.*

*Subjects:* Japan : President Trump's visit; Japan : Prime Minister; North Korea : Japanese citizens, past abductions.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201700818.