Japanese official reportedly approaches North Korean minister in Nagoya
A Japanese government official reportedly approached North Korean Sports Minister Kim Il-guk in Nagoya on September 19, seeking to convey Tokyo’s willingness to pursue dialogue and improve exchanges between the two countries. The contact took place at the venue for the opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, according to multiple Japan–North Korea relations sources cited by Kyodo News.
The report, published on September 20, said there had apparently been no prior coordination for the encounter. Japanese officials are believed to have approached Kim and members of his delegation while they were moving through the venue. The Japanese side reportedly welcomed the North Korean delegation’s visit and expressed an interest in promoting interaction between Japan and North Korea.
Kim, however, did not respond before leaving the scene. According to the sources, members of his entourage appeared confused because the Japanese official’s affiliation and authority had not been clearly communicated. One of Kim’s aides reportedly intervened, after which the minister departed.
Tokyo keeps dialogue option open over abduction issue
The reported approach comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has indicated that Japan will not rule out “all options,” including a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in efforts to resolve the long-standing issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
The abduction issue remains one of the most sensitive matters in Japan’s foreign policy. Japanese authorities say North Korean agents abducted Japanese nationals during the 1970s and 1980s. North Korea acknowledged several abductions in 2002 and returned five victims, but Tokyo maintains that the full picture has not been clarified and that more victims may remain unaccounted for.
Japan and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations. As a result, informal contacts, international events and humanitarian or sporting exchanges can provide rare opportunities for communication. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held in Japan and attended by delegations from across Asia, created a setting in which officials from the two countries could be present in the same location.
A cautious signal amid difficult relations
A Japanese government official declined to comment, saying the matter was sensitive. The reported incident therefore remains an unofficial and limited contact rather than a formal diplomatic meeting. There is also no indication that North Korea has accepted a new dialogue initiative or changed its position on relations with Japan.
Even so, the episode highlights Tokyo’s effort to look for practical openings while maintaining its focus on the abduction issue. Japan has previously stressed that resolving humanitarian concerns and establishing a stable relationship with North Korea are important national priorities. A direct conversation with Pyongyang would be difficult, particularly amid concerns over North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, regional security tensions and the absence of diplomatic ties.
The encounter also demonstrates the delicate nature of contact with North Korean officials. Without advance arrangements and clear channels, even a brief approach can create uncertainty for both sides. For Japan, however, the attempt in Nagoya may be viewed as a measured expression of openness: Tokyo is prepared to communicate when an opportunity arises, while continuing to seek a credible path toward answers for affected families.
Whether the reported contact leads to further communication remains unclear. For now, the North Korean minister’s silence underscores the challenges Japan faces, but the approach also confirms that dialogue remains an option the Japanese government is willing to pursue.
