Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has stressed that he will spearhead efforts to hold a summit with North Korea, so as to realize the early return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents decades ago.

Ishiba spoke at an event organized by abductees' families and supporters in Tokyo on Saturday. About 800 people took part.

Ishiba said the abductions were a violation of national sovereignty. He pledged that the government will tackle the issue with firm resolve to secure the return of all the abductees.

Ishiba noted that the situation is becoming more complicated because of the growing mutual distrust between the two countries.

He said it is important to go back to the basis of the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea, and realize what was declared 22 years ago "from a broad perspective."

Ishiba said he will urge North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to not miss an opportunity.

He also said "it does not help to criticize someone without actually meeting that person."

He added "history shows actions based on strategic decisions by leaders move the times."

The head of a group of abductees' families, Yokota Takuya, also spoke at the event. His sister, Megumi, was abducted when she was a first-year junior high school student.

He said his sister and all the other abductees are waiting to be rescued. He noted that the situation remains unchanged since the 2002 Japan-North Korea summit.

Yokota added that he hopes the Japanese government is keenly aware that time is running out, as many of the parents who had been waiting for the return of their loved ones have passed away.

The Japanese government says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. Five were repatriated in 2002, but the other 12 remain unaccounted for.