Press Conference:
Yoshiko Sakurai, Commentator, Writer and President of the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals (JINF);
Teruaki Masumoto, Secretary-General, The Association of the Families of Victims of Abducted Japanese Nationals;
Yoichi Shimada, Fukui Prefectural University Professor;
Tadae Takubo, JINF Vice President

The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with simultaneous English interpretation.

Taking Pyongyang Off The Terror List:
Is It A Mistake For Bush To Dance With The Dear Leader?

Is North Korea really intending to dismantle its nuclear weapons program? Many in Japan believe that unless the country comes up with a convincing answer to what really happened to those who were abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, there is no reason to believe any of Pyongyang's explanations.

The Japan Institute for National Fundamentals, a newly established independent policy-research organization, subscribes to the idea that a cautious approach is needed now more than ever. The non-governmental body focuses on Japan's foreign and defense policies as well as other fundamental issues such as global environmental problems. It firmly believes that the Bush administration's plan to remove North Korea from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism would be a serious mistake as long as abductees from Japan and other countries remain in captivity.

The group also thinks that a hasty decision by Washington to remove Pyongyang from the list would seriously undermine Japan-U.S. relations. An official of the organization along with others concerned about the potential U.S. move will hold a press conference at the FCCJ to focus on the impact of any such decision.

The speakers are Yoshiko Sakurai, JINF President, Tadae Takubo, JINF Vice President, Yoichi Shimada, Professor of Fukui Prefectural University, and Teruaki Masumoto of the Association of the Families of Victims of Abducted Japanese Nationals.

Teruaki Masumoto

Yoshiko Sakurai

Yoichi Shimada & Tadae Takubo