The Prime Minister of Japan has reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the lingering issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, asserting that "there's no time to waste". The captives are presumably being held in North Korea since the late 1970s and 1980s. The tangent came up during a speech made by the Prime Minister at a recent public event, where he vowed to leave no stone unturned to bring the kidnapped victims and their families justice.

The issue of abductions by North Korea has long been a sensitive and contentious subject in Japan, profoundly affecting its relations with North Korea. The Japanese public greatly empathizes with the victims and their families and calls for swift action. The issue is also a significant part of broader discussions about human rights and the rule of law.

Unlike Japan, neither the US nor EU have widespread cases of their citizens being abducted by North Korea. However, individuals cases have seen both the US and EU advocate vehemently for the release of their citizens, often via diplomatic routes.