Japanese govt. vows to do its best to seek return of abductees from N.Korea

Japan's top government spokesperson has told the mother of an abductee to North Korea that the administration will do its best to seek the prompt return of all Japanese nationals who share the same fate.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu met on Monday with Yokota Sakie, whose daughter Megumi was abducted in 1977 at the age of 13. Matsuno also serves as Abductions Issue Minister.

Ikeda Masaki, who heads a group of Megumi's former classmates, joined the meeting to deliver a petition signed by 230 people seeking a quick resolution of the issue.

Yokota said she is hanging on to a shred of hope, and is pleading with the government to do something.

Ikeda noted that Yokota turned 87 on Saturday. He said not a moment should be lost, and urged the government to realize a Japan-North Korea summit as soon as possible.

Matsuno said the Cabinet of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio regards the abductions issue as its top priority. He also called it a humanitarian issue with time constraints, as both the abductees and their families in Japan are aging.

Matsuno pledged to do all he can, such as exploring direct negotiations between Kishida and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the return of the abductees.

Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230207_08/