Article: JAPAN-NORTH KOREA: FAMILIES FEAR ISSUE OF ABDUCTEES IS FADING.

By Catherine Makino

TOKYO, Oct. 22, 2008 (IPS/GIN) -- Japan has decided to withhold energy assistance from North Korea as the one bargaining chip it sees it has left to push Pyongyang on the issue of abducted Japanese nationals.

With Washington removing North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, Japan finds itself isolated over the issue of its people abducted by the reclusive communist state during the cold war to be trained as spies.

While the delisting will help dismantle North Korea's nuclear program -- which is to Japan's advantage -- it has come as a bitter disappointment for the families of the abductees who feel that any ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!