. >> translator: we know that mr. ijima has been making an effort and we highly appreciate it. >> a north korean interpreter quoted kim as saying ijima visiting pyongyang once again on a very important mission. they are believed to have discussed the abduction of japanese nationals in the 1970s and '80s. ijima accompanied foreign minister koizumi on his trips in the early 2000s. in tokyo, chief cabinet secretary yoshihide suga said that they are serious about wanting to resolve the abduction issue. >> translator: japan's position is that it wants to resolve the abduction issue as well as north korea's nuclear and missile development comprehensively.

. >> translator: we know that mr. ijima has been making an effort and we highly appreciate it. >> a north korean interpreter quoted kim as saying ijima is visiting pyongyang once again on a very important mission. kim and ijima are believed to have discussed the abduction of japanese nationals by north korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. ijima accompanied foreign former prime minister minister koizumi on his two trips to pyongyang in the early 2000s. in tokyo, chief cabinet secretary yoshihide suga said prime minister abe is serious about wanting to resolve the abduction issue. >> translator: japan's position is that it wants to resolve the abduction issue as well as north korea's nuclear and missile development comprehensively. the abduction issue is the abe administration's top priority. >> suga said the government is working hard to bring the abductees home. ijima spoke to reporters in beijing on his way back and called the talks sincere and said the japanese government will need time to analyze their significance. for