Latest news with #YokotaSakie
NHK
03-06-2025
- General
- NHK
Last living parent of Japanese abductees asks government to work more seriously
The 89-year-old mother of a Japanese woman abducted by North Korea has asked the government to commit itself to bringing back the abductees. Yokota Sakie spoke at a news conference on Tuesday, two days ahead of the 5th anniversary of her husband's death. Yokota Shigeru led the group of abductees' families for a decade after its foundation in 1997. He died in 2020 at the age of 87. Their daughter Yokota Megumi was a first-year junior high school student when she was abducted in November 1977 in Niigata City, central Japan. She will turn 61 in October. Her mother said she has long been frustrated by the lack of progress in resolving the abduction issue. She said she has done everything she could, including meeting with several prime ministers, but she has seen no developments in the nearly 50 years since her daughter was abducted. Sakie is the only surviving parent of the government-recognized abductees who remain unaccounted for. The 96-year-old father of Arimoto Keiko died in February this year. Sakie called on the government to work more seriously as time is running out, saying that she and other family members can do nothing but ask the government to take action. Japan's government has so far recognized 17 citizens as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 80s. Five returned home following a bilateral summit in 2002, but the other 12 are unaccounted for.
NHK
15-05-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Families of Japanese abductees meet with new US ambassador, seek support
Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have met with new US Ambassador to Japan George Glass. They urged his cooperation in realizing the swift return of the abductees. A group of the abductees' families visited the US ambassador's residence in Tokyo on Thursday. It was their first meeting with Glass, who took office last month. The meeting was held behind closed doors and lasted about one hour. The relatives said they explained that there is not much time left as 89-year-old Yokota Sakie, whose daughter Megumi was abducted at the age of 13, is now the only surviving parent. Glass reportedly listened intently to the families and expressed his sorrow. Yokota Takuya, a younger brother of Megumi, said that he told the ambassador that no abductee has returned to Japan since 2002. He said he asked for Glass's help in resolving the issue as soon as possible. Yokota heads the group of abductees' families. Yokota Sakie said that despite the families' efforts, most abductees have been unable to return home for nearly 50 years. She said that she wants Japan and the US to work together to solve this dire problem. Among other families who met Glass was former abductee Soga Hitomi, who was repatriated with four other victims in 2002. She said that it was a very warm, unforgettable meeting. She added that her mother, who was abducted with her, is now 93 years old. She said she wants her mother to come home as soon as possible. The Japanese government has so far recognized 17 citizens as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Five returned home following a bilateral summit in 2002, but the other 12 are still unaccounted for.
