Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 12:00 - 13:30
In North Korea with Antonio Inoki
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in English
US President Donald Trump ruled out a diplomatic option to defuse the crisis over North Korea’s missile and nuclear threats when he blasted as a waste of time his secretary of state’s suggestion that “lines of communication” be kept open with Pyongyang. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the United Nations that pressure, not dialogue, is needed to deal with the defiant regime of Kim Jong-un.
Despite the trend to further isolate the reclusive North with sanctions, Japanese professional wrestler-turned lawmaker Kanji “Antonio” Inoki continues to play a unique middleman role. He made his 32nd visit to North Korea last month and observed its National Foundation Day on September 9. He held talks with former foreign minister Ri Su-yong, now vice chairman of the Workers Party central committee, who is believed to be close to Kim.
Takushoku University professor Hideshi Takesada, a widely quoted Pyongyang watcher, accompanied Inoki at the meeting with Ri who oversees North Korea’s foreign affairs. The FCCJ has invited Takesada to speak about the Ri-Inoki meeting and what he saw and heard in the nuclear-armed state. Inoki, an independent upper-house member, reportedly proposed sending a Japanese parliamentarian delegation to Pyongyang.
Takesada himself has traveled to Pyongyang five times mainly for what he describes as academic exchanges. A graduate of Keio University with fluency in Korean, Takesada worked as a researcher at a Defense Ministry think-tank, the National Institute for Defense Studies, for 36 years until 2011. He was executive director for research and international affairs when he retired from the institute. He taught at South Korea’s Yonsei University from 2011-2013 and joined Takushoku University in 2014.
Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or on the website (still & TV cameras inclusive). The charge for members/members' guest is 1,750/2,700 yen; non-members eligible to attend may pay in cash by e mail reservation (front@fccj.or.jp). (Menu: grilled salmon with herbs) Reservations canceled less than one hour in advance for working press members, and 24 hours for all others, will be charged in full. Reservations and cancellations are not complete without confirmation. For meal service, please enter the room by 12:25.
Professional Actvities Committee
