Abductee Yokota's Family Appeals For Her Return From N.korea
The family of a Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korean agents 45 years ago has appealed for her swift return.
Family members of Yokota Megumi attended a rally in Kawasaki City, south of Tokyo, on Saturday ahead of her 58th birthday on Wednesday. Megumi was taken to the North in 1977, when she was 13 years old.
Her 86-year-old mother, Sakie, told the rally that Megumi vanished like smoke on her way home from school. She said Megumi must be living each day in hopes that she can see her family as soon as possible.
Sakie touched upon her late husband, Shigeru, who died at the age of 87 in 2020. She said she hopes the day will soon come when Megumi will return to Japan and the family will reunite at Shigeru's grave.
Megumi's younger brother, Takuya, said many abductees' family members have died without ever realizing their wish to see their loved ones once more.
Takuya said he wants North Korea to know that the issue needs to be resolved while the abductees' parents are alive. He added that he wants Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to convey to the North that settling the issue will lead to a bright future for the two countries.
After the rally, Sakie told reporters that she wants the Japanese government to take action to get back the abductees.