An adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told North Korean officials during his recent trip to Pyongyang that Japan will not budge an inch until the abduction issue involving Japanese nationals is resolved, a Japanese government source said Saturday. In talks with North Korean officials, Isao Iijima demanded that Pyongyang return all Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, handover the abductors and provide a full accounting of the abductions, the source said.

An adviser to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Tokyo from Beijing on Saturday, a day after he completed a four-day unannounced visit to North Korea that has sparked concern from the United States and South Korea. Before leaving China, Isao Iijima told journalists at Beijing Capital International Airport that he will not "discuss anything about this case." Asked if he would brief Abe on the trip later Saturday, Iijima said, "I don't know."

An adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left Beijing for Tokyo on Saturday, a day after he completed a four-day unannounced visit to North Korea that has sparked concern from the United States and South Korea. "I will not discuss anything about this case," Isao Iijima told journalists at Beijing Capital International Airport. Asked if he would brief Abe on the trip later Saturday, Iijima said, "I don't know."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Friday the government will be briefed by Isao Iijima, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's adviser currently visiting North Korea, after he returns to Japan later this week. Iijima, who arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday, will return home as early as Saturday after meeting with senior North Korean officials, including No. 2 leader Kim Yong Nam. The two countries have no diplomatic relations in light of numerous contentious issues, most prominently the abductions by North Korea of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s.