Families of Japanese abductees meet with new US ambassador, seek support

NHK

15-05-2025

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.