Passing the Baton in the Abductions Issue

Japan Forward

a day ago

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JAPAN Forward has launched "Ignite," a series to share the voices of students in Japan in English. What do they see beyond our obvious differences, disabilities, and insecurities? Individually and collectively, today's students have the power to shape our global future. This eighth essay of the series is by Sakura Morie, a student from Ehime Prefecture. She's ready to take the baton of leadership to expand global pressure for solving the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese citizens.
Annually, the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue holds a North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week Essay Contest for junior and senior high school students across the country. (The Government of Japan established the Headquarters, an organization led by the Prime Minister and composed of all the Ministers of State to resolve the abductions issue.) It aims to raise awareness of the abduction issue through viewing films and stage plays, reading books related to the issue, and other opportunities to help the students understand the feelings of abduction victims and their families.
These students often use the essay contest to think deeply about what they can and should do to resolve the abduction issue. Some, like Sakura Morie, also take on the challenge to directly communicate their thoughts and ideas to others in English. Let's listen.
Eighth in the Series, 'Ignite'
What would you do if your child suddenly disappeared and never returned? In 1977, this tragedy actually happened when 13-year-old Megumi Yokota was abducted by North Korean agents. The story of the Yokota family is a symbol of the abduction issue perpetrated by North Korea and represents the painful reality Japan continues to face. Despite ongoing efforts, this severe violation of human rights remains unresolved.
As future leaders, we young people have a responsibility to understand this issue in depth and raise awareness globally. We must take the baton in this struggle for justice and continue to run forward. Sakura Morie, a student at Ehime Prefectural Saijo High School, reads her winning essay during the 2024 North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week seminar on December 14. (Screenshot)
I first learned about the North Korean abductions when I was in elementary school. At the time, I was completely unaware of the abduction issue and only truly understood the facts after recently watching the anime "MEGUMI" in my civics class. Upon watching the movie, I was deeply moved to learn that, although many decades had passed, Megumiʼs family never lost hope to be reunited with her and still pursued the issue in search of the truth. Inspired by their tireless efforts, I too want to bring greater attention to the abduction issue.
According to the Cabinet Office's 2023 survey, 73.6% of respondents were concerned about the abduction issue, down more than 10% from 86.4% in 2013. However, what shocked me most was that among respondents aged 18-29, only 64.1% were concerned. As the families of those abducted grow older, it becomes even more critical that we don't forget the feelings of the abductees.
At my school's culture festival in November, I'm planning to create original flyers to raise awareness of the abductions and distribute them to students, teachers, parents, and my wider community. By creating opportunities for everyone to gain awareness, we can achieve the earliest possible return of all abductees.
In addition, it's vital to remember this is a global issue that requires international cooperation to resolve. Abductions by North Korea have been made not only in Japan, but also in many other countries, including China, Thailand, and France. Therefore, I must take advantage of my English ability to actively participate in many intercultural events and volunteer activities where I can interact with foreigners and exchange opinions on this issue. By listening to international perspectives, we can collectively deepen our understanding of the issue. Megumi Yokota, dressed in her mother's kimono in front of their home.Ten months later, she was abducted by North Korean agents. January 1977, Niigata City. ( © Yokota family.)
In conclusion, I strongly believe the abduction issue must be resolved from the perspective that itʼs not simply someone elseʼs story, but a universal issue every citizen should be concerned with. By again watching the animation MEGUMI, I was able to feel even closer to the feelings of the abductees and renew my interest in the issue with even greater strength.
Moving forward, I will take the baton in this struggle for justice by creating opportunities for people, regardless of nationality, to become interested in the issue. By taking positive action myself, I hope to become a bridge to the future that will fulfill the lifelong wishes of the abductees and their families.
At the time she submitted this essay, Sakura Morie was an 11th-grade student at Ehime Prefectural Saijo High School in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. She delivered this comment upon receiving the Grand Prize for Senior High School Students for her English essay:
Comment from the winner: I wrote this essay while being conscious of my feelings about the abduction issue and what I want to do in the future. If the thoughts I put into my essay reach many people and increase the number of those who become interested in the issue, I would be very pleased.
(Read the essay translated into Japanese)
Author: Sakura Morie
Student, Ehime Prefectural Saijo High School, Ehime Prefecture
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