Prior to the summit between Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and President Joe Biden, a U.S. diplomat in Tokyo said he believes that the United States will express its continued support for Japan in resolving the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea.

"I think he (Biden) will express the same sense of solidarity with the families and the people of Japan, actually with the international community, on this issue," said Joseph Young, chargé d’affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, in an interview with The Asahi Shimbun on April 14. 

The abduction issue is expected to be discussed at the summit in Washington, D.C., on April 16, in the first meeting between the two leaders.

Excerpts of the interview follow:

Q: How do you think Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and President Joe Biden will discuss the issue of abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea during the summit?

Joseph Young: First, I think our longstanding solidarity with Japan on the issue of the abductees and their families is really reflective of our overall deeper relationship. I think it is based on the values and interests that we share as countries committed to human rights and the rule of law.

So, when we talk about that solidarity with Japan and the families, it is not particular to any administration or political party. I think just like the alliance, it is longstanding and enduring, and is just a feature of our overall partnership with Japan.

Over the years, we have had President (George W.) Bush, President (Barack) Obama and President (Donald) Trump meet with the abductees' families. We have also had a string of ambassadors going back 20 years who have met with the families. I think Ambassador (Howard) Baker met with the families in this residence back in 2003.

When you talk about the upcoming summit, my expectation is that President Biden would express the same strong level of support for Japan and its efforts to resolve this issue. We have already seen indications of that support in the Quad leaders’ joint statement.

The leaders of Japan, Australia, India and the United States at their virtual summit talked about renewing their commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea, but also the importance and the necessity of an immediate resolution for the abductees’ families. So, I think President Biden will reaffirm that position. It was also a feature of our “two-plus-two” statement and the “two-plus-two” discussions that we had.

I think this is something that has continued for a long time in our relationship. I remember when Secretary (of State Antony) Blinken was here last month. I had an opportunity to give him a letter that Mrs. (Sakie) Yokota had given me. And I sat with him when he read it. The entire room went silent.

There were a number of people in the room, including myself. Everybody went silent and the Secretary just took a few moments, a few minutes to read the letter, and really took it to heart.

Then when he was asked about it afterward in a press setting, he said it was very moving, a very powerful letter, and that for sure we would continue our solidarity with the families of the people of Japan.

And this was an issue that he said would remain near and dear to our hearts, regardless of the final outcome of the policy review that we are doing right now with North Korea. So, this issue would remain something very dear to us.

Q: It seems to me that the Trump administration had a relatively strong commitment to the issue. Should Japan expect a likewise strong commitment from the Biden administration on the issue?

A: Yes. I think President Biden will express the same strong level of support for Japan in seeking a resolution to this issue. I think he will express the same sense of solidarity with the families and the people of Japan, actually with the international community, on this issue.

Q: In terms of specific measures to resolve the issues of abduction and denuclearization, do you think the United States should maintain “strategic patience” with North Korea?

A: Yes. When Secretary Blinken was here, he talked a lot about the approach you would take on North Korea. Certainly, we are going to continue to focus on the denuclearization of North Korea. We will also be in lockstep with Japan, when it comes to dealing with that issue and other issues like North Korea's missile program and human rights abuses, and through all of that communication with Japan and communication with the Republic of Korea will be key.

I don't want to get ahead of the policy review findings that is still ongoing. But one important feature of the review is that we are receiving input from both Japan and the Republic of Korea to inform our findings and our review. I am sure that the final result will reflect the input that we received from both sides.

Q: You met the Yokotas two years in a row, in 2020 and 2021. You met Sakie Yokota, mother of Megumi, on March 15, 2021. What were the discussions like? What did you think of her comments?

A: We have been struck by Yokota family's resilience and strength in their quiet dignity. I had an opportunity to tell her that I have three daughters. I said, I just could not begin to imagine what it would be like if something like the tragedy that happened to Megumi were to happen to one of my daughters. I just cannot even begin to imagine that, you know, the depth of anguish that her mother had.

We talked through it, and I found a lot of inspiration in the way that she and her family have handled this. I just so admire the fact that they have waged this campaign now for decades to heighten the profile of the abductees issue, including globally. It is a source of inspiration for us here at the embassy. And the two times I met with her, I came out of the meeting feeling even more determined to help contribute toward a resolution of that issue.

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Joseph Young became chargé d’affaires ad interim, U.S. Embassy Tokyo, on July 20, 2019. Young, a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service, previously served as deputy chief of mission at U.S. Embassy Tokyo, director for Japanese Affairs at the Department of State, deputy foreign policy advisor for the U.S. Pacific Command, among other positions. He also has worked at U.S. embassies in Beijing, Singapore and other locations.