East Asia: Facts and Analytics, 2026/3
DOI: 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-3-22-33
URL: PDF
Author
| Domakhina Yulia A. |
| Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences |
| ORCID: 0009-0007-3182-8934 |
| E-mail: domakhina_julia@mail.ru |
Abstract
The article analyzes Japan’s policy towards the DPRK under the administration of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. The primary objective of Japanese government on this track remains containing the so-called North Korean threat in the light of the systematic growth of Pyongyang’s nuclear missile potential. At the same time, the DPRK’s nuclear missile program is becoming a stable element of Japan’s strategic planning and is being used as a justification for expanding the country’s defense capabilities. At the regional level, Takaichi’s policy is notable for strengthening coordination on the DPRK issue with Washington and Seoul. The author describes the dynamics of defense cooperation within the Japan–USA–ROK triangle, which shows signs of further deepening. Takaichi prioritizes the abduction issue on the diplomatic agenda and puts forward the initiative for a personal meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Despite the formal openness of the Japanese leadership to dialogue, the prospect of a Japan-North Korea summit is unlikely, due to the different views of the parties on the framework of the negotiation process. The author concludes that Takaichi Sanae’s policy towards North Korea is characterized by two-track approach of pressure and dialogue, in which deterrence prevails over diplomacy.
Keywords
Japan, North Korea, US, Republic of Korea, Takaichi Sanae, nuclear missile program, the Japanese abduction issue
Support
The research was carried out within the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project No. FMSF-2024-0016 “Japan in the Asia-Pacific region: politics, security, economy”).
Acknowledgments
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For citation
Domakhina Yu.A. (2026). Politicheskiy kurs Takaiti Sanae v otnoshenii KNDR [Takaichi Sanae’s political course towards North Korea]. Vostochnaya Aziya: fakty i analitika [East Asia: Facts and Analytics], 8 (3): 22-33. (In Russian). DOI 10.24412/2686-7702-2026-3-22-33
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Dates
| Received Date: | Jun 6, 2026 |
| Accepted Date: | Jul 28, 2026 |
| Publication Date: | Sep 30, 2026 |
International License: CC BY 4.0