Families of N. Korea abductees ask new U.S. envoy for support
The families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago met with new U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass in Tokyo on Thursday to seek help in resolving the issue, according to a younger brother of one of the most well-known abduction victims.
"We asked for his assistance toward the resolution of a problem that is running out of time," Takuya Yokota, the 56-year-old brother of Megumi Yokota, told reporters after the closed-door meeting, adding he felt Glass took their suffering "seriously."
Megumi was abducted at age 13 by North Korean agents in Niigata Prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast in 1977, while returning home from badminton practice at her junior high school. Pyongyang claims she died by suicide in 1994.
"I believe the meeting had a lot of meaning if the importance of this issue is conveyed" to U.S. President Donald Trump, Takuya said.
Tetsuya Yokota, Takuya's twin brother, said he told Glass that "just providing a space to talk likely applied pressure on North Korea," while their 89-year-old mother, Sakie, said the ambassador gave her a hug.
The gathering was also attended by Glass's wife, Mary, who Takuya said expressed sympathy with their plight.
Since the return of five abductees to Japan in 2002, Tokyo has sought the release of 12 others it has officially recognized as having been taken by North Korea. It also suspects Pyongyang's involvement in the disappearances of other Japanese citizens.
Related coverage:
Families of Japanese abducted by North Korea call for Trump's support
Families of Japanese abducted by N. Korea to seek U.S. aid for return
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