5 days ago
Japanese ex-abductee collects signatures calling for return of other victims
A man who returned to Japan after being abducted to North Korea has collected signatures calling for the government to take concrete action to bring back all abductees as soon as possible.
Hasuike Kaoru was abducted on July 31, 1978, along the Niigata Prefecture coast and returned home in 2002 after a Japan-North Korea summit.
He took part in Saturday's signature collection campaign near the site where he was abducted, ahead of the 47th anniversary of his abduction.
People passing by responded to his call for signatures, some of whom said they are supporting him.
The Japanese government says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five returned home in 2002, but the other 12 remain unaccounted for.
After abductee Arimoto Keiko's father, Akihiro, died at the age of 96 in February, abductee Yokota Megumi's 89-year-old mother, Sakie, is the only surviving parent of the recognized victims.
Hasuike said it is important to send a message to North Korea that the Japanese people have not forgotten the abduction issue.
He said he wants the Japanese government to seriously consider how to make progress in the issue and take action, regardless of the political situation following the Upper House election.
