Free Streaming Now Available! Special Dialogue: Kaoru Hasuike x Yoshihiro Makino - "The Current State of Abductions"
This special dialogue between abduction survivor Kaoru Hasuike and veteran diplomatic reporter Yoshihiro Makino provides an in-depth, analytical look at the current realities of North Korea. The discussion covers critical topics ranging from the regime's economic struggles and military structure to the future of its leadership and international relations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 00:21
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (21h 38m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 02:11 (412h 12m after Collected)
We are approaching the "hermit kingdom" of North Korea with staggering amounts of information and precise analysis.
-- Makino-san's wealth of information and sharp analysis have made the current state of the closed country of North Korea quite clear. (Kaoru Hasuike, Specially Appointed Professor at Niigata Sangyo University)
-- I was overwhelmed by Hasuike-san's deep knowledge of the lives and mindsets of the people in North Korea. (Yoshihiro Makino, Diplomatic Correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun)
### Dialogue Topics
1. Actually Cornering the North: Secret contacts... 10 years since the end.
2. An economy unable to hide its unraveling: Wanting to siphon money into the state.
3. The reality of the 2-million-strong military: Fights are mostly among soldiers.
4. Is the fourth supreme leader his daughter? Sick and tired of the fourth generation.
5. Kim Jong-un is merely an "institution": A symbiotic relationship with shadow power.
6. Behind the scenes of the Party Congress: A pose of listening seriously.
7. The terror of U.S.-North Korea relations "excluding Japan": The worst-case scenario for Japan.
### About the Speakers
**Kaoru Hasuike**
Born in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, in 1957. Specially Appointed Professor at Niigata Sangyo University. Abducted in 1978 while in his third year at Chuo University's Faculty of Law, he was forced to live in North Korea for 24 years. After returning to Japan in 2002, he re-enrolled in and graduated from the university. His books include "To the Peninsula, Again," "Abductions and Decisions" (both published by Shinchosha), and "Japanese Abductions" (Iwanami Shinsho, ranked 15th in the 2026 Shinsho Awards). He has also translated numerous works, including Kim Hoon's "Harbin" (Shinchosha) and Kim Wan's "Cleaning the Houses of the Dead" (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha). He is actively involved in speaking engagements and media appearances to raise awareness and solve the abduction issue.
**Yoshihiro Makino**
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1965. Diplomatic Correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun and Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University. After graduating from Waseda University's Faculty of Law, he joined Osaka Shosen Mitsui Senpaku (now Mitsui O.S.K. Lines). In 1991, he joined the Asahi Shimbun. After working at the Seto Bureau, Political Department, Sales Department, as a mobile correspondent and deputy editor of the International News Department, and as a visiting researcher at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), he served as the Seoul Bureau Chief before assuming his current position. He has authored numerous books, including "Okinawa Contingency" (Bungeishunju), "Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong," "A Study of the 'Air' That Rules South Korea," "Report: Desperate South Korea" (all Bunshun Shinsho), "Report: The 'Severed' Japan-Korea Relations" (Asahi Shinsho), and "Report: Kim Jong-un and Trump" (Asahi Shimbun Publications). His latest book is "Kim Jong-un: The Dictator on the Brink" (Bunshun Shinsho).
### [Overview]
- Dialogue Title: The Current State of Abductions
- Speakers: Kaoru Hasuike (Specially Appointed Professor, Niigata Sangyo University) x Yoshihiro Makino (Diplomatic Correspondent, Asahi Shimbun)
- Streaming Schedule (Tentative): March 26, 2026 (Thursday) 11:00 to April 30, 2026 (Thursday) 23:59
- Platform: "Shinchosha Book School" YouTube Channel
- Streaming URL: https://youtu.be/jO-pmPt3yxY
- Fee: Free
- Organizer: "Shinchosha Book School"
(Videos from "Shinchosha Book School" that ended sales on January 6, 2026, will also no longer be available for viewing as of March 31 (Tuesday).)
-- Makino-san's wealth of information and sharp analysis have made the current state of the closed country of North Korea quite clear. (Kaoru Hasuike, Specially Appointed Professor at Niigata Sangyo University)
-- I was overwhelmed by Hasuike-san's deep knowledge of the lives and mindsets of the people in North Korea. (Yoshihiro Makino, Diplomatic Correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun)
### Dialogue Topics
1. Actually Cornering the North: Secret contacts... 10 years since the end.
2. An economy unable to hide its unraveling: Wanting to siphon money into the state.
3. The reality of the 2-million-strong military: Fights are mostly among soldiers.
4. Is the fourth supreme leader his daughter? Sick and tired of the fourth generation.
5. Kim Jong-un is merely an "institution": A symbiotic relationship with shadow power.
6. Behind the scenes of the Party Congress: A pose of listening seriously.
7. The terror of U.S.-North Korea relations "excluding Japan": The worst-case scenario for Japan.
### About the Speakers
**Kaoru Hasuike**
Born in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture, in 1957. Specially Appointed Professor at Niigata Sangyo University. Abducted in 1978 while in his third year at Chuo University's Faculty of Law, he was forced to live in North Korea for 24 years. After returning to Japan in 2002, he re-enrolled in and graduated from the university. His books include "To the Peninsula, Again," "Abductions and Decisions" (both published by Shinchosha), and "Japanese Abductions" (Iwanami Shinsho, ranked 15th in the 2026 Shinsho Awards). He has also translated numerous works, including Kim Hoon's "Harbin" (Shinchosha) and Kim Wan's "Cleaning the Houses of the Dead" (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha). He is actively involved in speaking engagements and media appearances to raise awareness and solve the abduction issue.
**Yoshihiro Makino**
Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1965. Diplomatic Correspondent for the Asahi Shimbun and Visiting Professor at Hiroshima University. After graduating from Waseda University's Faculty of Law, he joined Osaka Shosen Mitsui Senpaku (now Mitsui O.S.K. Lines). In 1991, he joined the Asahi Shimbun. After working at the Seto Bureau, Political Department, Sales Department, as a mobile correspondent and deputy editor of the International News Department, and as a visiting researcher at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), he served as the Seoul Bureau Chief before assuming his current position. He has authored numerous books, including "Okinawa Contingency" (Bungeishunju), "Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong," "A Study of the 'Air' That Rules South Korea," "Report: Desperate South Korea" (all Bunshun Shinsho), "Report: The 'Severed' Japan-Korea Relations" (Asahi Shinsho), and "Report: Kim Jong-un and Trump" (Asahi Shimbun Publications). His latest book is "Kim Jong-un: The Dictator on the Brink" (Bunshun Shinsho).
### [Overview]
- Dialogue Title: The Current State of Abductions
- Speakers: Kaoru Hasuike (Specially Appointed Professor, Niigata Sangyo University) x Yoshihiro Makino (Diplomatic Correspondent, Asahi Shimbun)
- Streaming Schedule (Tentative): March 26, 2026 (Thursday) 11:00 to April 30, 2026 (Thursday) 23:59
- Platform: "Shinchosha Book School" YouTube Channel
- Streaming URL: https://youtu.be/jO-pmPt3yxY
- Fee: Free
- Organizer: "Shinchosha Book School"
(Videos from "Shinchosha Book School" that ended sales on January 6, 2026, will also no longer be available for viewing as of March 31 (Tuesday).)