Following US lead, Abe offers no-strings summit with Kim

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, may be able to capitalize on North Korea's diplomatic impasse with the U.S. © Kyodo

KOYA JIBIKI, Nikkei staff writer

May 8, 2019 03:14 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has signaled that he is ready to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without preconditions, a shift likely prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's more conciliatory line on Pyongyang.

Abe and Trump discussed Monday the North's launch of short-range projectiles into the Sea of Japan last week. After the phone call, the prime minister told reporters that "I myself must meet face to face with Chairman Kim unconditionally."