Japanese leader Takaichi says she would like to engage with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Thursday she has a “strong desire” to meet North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un to discuss the sensitive issue of the decades-old abduction of Japanese nationals.

Mr. Takaichi outlined her view on the sidelines of meetings with President Trump in Washington.

Members of the Japanese traveling press asked the prime minister if she wanted Mr. Trump to engage with Mr. Kim directly on the issue of the abductions, a situation in which North Korean agents kidnapped Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s.

“While I cannot go into specifics regarding diplomatic exchanges, I did convey to him that I personally have a very strong desire to meet with Mr. Kim Jong-un directly,” she said. “We discussed that process. They have agreed to cooperate in various ways.”

The abductions are an important diplomatic issue for Japan, which has worked to determine the actual number of abducted persons and whether any of them are still alive.

Ms. Takaichi spoke of her intention to meet Mr. Kim during a break between her White House meetings and a formal dinner with Mr. Trump on Thursday.

The main focus of her visit was the war in Iran and what Japan can do to help break the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil supply travels.

“I clearly conveyed Japan’s position on the need for an early resolution of the [war] situation,” she said. “We confirmed that Japan and the United States will continue to maintain close communication toward achieving peace and stability in the Middle East, including the safety of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and a stable supply of energy.”