Abductees families again call for government to act
Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have again demanded a swift resolution of the decades-old issue.
The families' group and their supporters held a rally in Tokyo on Saturday. About 800 people took part, including Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
At the outset of the rally, participants observed a moment of silence for Arimoto Akihiro. He died in February at age 96 without being reunited with his daughter, Keiko, who was abducted by North Korea in 1983. Keiko's sisters were also present.
Group leader Yokota Takuya said he is deeply vexed considering the feelings of Akihiro, who had been working since before the group was formed to recover his daughter.
Yokota urged the government to take action to bring about the return of their loved ones as soon as possible. He said the only way to realize this is for Prime Minister Ishiba to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Yokota's older sister Megumi was abducted in 1977 when she was a first-year junior high school student.
The mother of Megumi, 89-year-old Yokota Sakie, is now the only surviving parent of the citizens the Japanese government has so far recognized as having been abducted by North Korea and remaining there.
She said she often wonders whether the issue will ever be resolved while she's alive. But she is determined to stop sobbing and instead walk a lot, take enough nourishment and remain positive and energetic, so she can welcome her daughter in good condition.
Prime Minister Ishiba claimed the families' heartfelt cries represented his resolve and the widely held sentiments of people around the country. He said the abductions are not only a human rights problem, but an infringement of Japan's sovereignty. He said a bilateral summit will be necessary to make a breakthrough, and vowed to do more to realize such a meeting.
The participants adopted a resolution that calls on the government to bring all the victims home together immediately while their parents and other relatives of that generation are still alive. They also urged North Korea to take the decision to repatriate the victims.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
21 minutes ago
- NHK
Beijing blames Japan over close encounters with Chinese jets
Japan has expressed serious concerns over a series of extremely close aerial encounters with the Chinese military. But officials in Beijing are now pointing the finger right back. Japan's Defense Ministry says Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol planes were shadowed by Chinese fighter jets on June 7 and 8. The incidents took place over the Pacific Ocean around Japan. The ministry says the Chinese aircraft came as close as about 45 meters. But Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said in a video posted to social media on Friday that Beijing has sent a stern notice to Japan. Jiang accused Japanese vessels and aircrafts of intentionally creating safety risks by frequently approaching and obstructing China's military activities. He urged Japan to stop what he called "dangerous provocative actions". Japan has conveyed serious concerns to China and called for steps to prevent a recurrence. The Japanese government says it cannot accept China's attempts to shift the blame. The Japanese Embassy in Beijing told NHK that it has received notice of China's position, but refrained from commenting further.
NHK
an hour ago
- NHK
Hong Kong reveals first probe by China's national security authorities
Hong Kong has disclosed what is the first publicly known investigation by China's national security arm in the territory. Hong Kong's government said on Thursday that China's Office for Safeguarding National Security conducted a joint operation with local police. It said six individuals and one organization were targeted for allegedly colluding with external forces between 2020 and June last year. They are suspected of violating Hong Kong's National Security Law, introduced five years ago. Based on the law, the Chinese office can supervise and give instructions to Hong Kong's government. It can also investigate what are described as complex cases involving foreign elements, and file charges with courts in mainland China.
NHK
3 hours ago
- NHK
North Korea holds launch ceremony for restored destroyer, state TV reports
North Korea's state-run media has reported that a launch ceremony was held on Thursday for a restored destroyer. The vessel had tipped onto its side and partially submerged following a failed launch last month. Korean Central Television reported that the ceremony took place at the Rajin Dockyard in the country's northeast following the completion of repairs. After the May 21 accident, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered that the destroyer be repaired before the ruling party central committee's plenary meeting scheduled for late June. Kim, who attended the event, revealed that the new destroyer is a Choe Hyon-class vessel -- the 5,000-ton warship that North Korea launched in April. He said, "Soon, enemies will experience themselves how provocative and unpleasant it is to sit and watch the ships of an adversary run rampant on the fringes of sovereign waters." Kim also revealed that his country will build two new destroyers of the same or even larger class every year, expressing his intention to boost naval capabilities, including securing strategic abilities in the Pacific. South Korea's Unification Ministry noted that no external defects were confirmed on the newly launched destroyer but said it is necessary to carefully monitor whether the vessel functions properly.
