Japanese abductees' relatives brief Takaichi on US visit

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have urged Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to engage in strong diplomacy to bring back all the abductees as soon as possible.

Yokota Takuya and Iizuka Koichiro met Takaichi on Tuesday to brief her on their visit to the United States last month. Yokota heads a group of abductees' families. His older sister, Megumi, was abducted when she was 13. Iizuka's mother, Taguchi Yaeko, was taken when he was 1 year old.

Yokota and Iizuka were accompanied by Japanese lawmakers on their US visit. They met government officials and others to seek their cooperation.

Yokota said he asked the US officials to try to understand the abduction of a small child as if it had happened to them. He said he wants the Japanese government to promote strong diplomacy so that his mother and Megumi can reunite and embrace each other as soon as possible.

Yokota noted that Monday was Megumi's 62nd birthday. He said she has been forced to lead a long and harsh life that is beyond anyone's imagination. He added that he feels very sorry for not being able to rescue the abductees.

Yokota later told reporters that he wants the relevant Japanese officials to send a strong message to North Korea that once the abductions issue is resolved, the two countries can both create a bright future. He expressed hope that Japanese officials will create the environment necessary for bilateral negotiations to go well.

The Japanese government says at least 17 Japanese citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 80s. Five of them returned to Japan following a bilateral summit in 2002. The whereabouts of the other 12 remain unknown.