Sunday marks 21 years since five Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea returned to Japan. One of them has called for public support and concrete steps by the government to bring the remaining abductees back home.

The Japanese government says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s.

Hasuike Kaoru, Hasuike Yukiko, Chimura Yasushi, Chimura Fukie and Soga Hitomi were taken to North Korea in 1978. They arrived back in Japan on October 15, 2002, but the other 12 remain unaccounted for.

In an interview with NHK, Hasuike Kaoru said the remaining abductees must be living with unbearable pain and feelings.

He said some may have heard about the deaths of their parents and others are aware that their relatives are growing older.

Only two parents of the officially recognized abductees are alive. They are Yokota Sakie, the 87-year-old mother of abductee Yokota Megumi, and Arimoto Akihiro, the 95-year-old father of Arimoto Keiko.

Hasuike said he hears that both are not well, and that he is frustrated. He said he feels more strongly that the issue must be settled as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has indicated his willingness to start high-level talks with North Korea under his direct supervision, in order to realize a bilateral summit.

Hasuike reacted positively to the move. He said as relations between the United States and North Korea remain stalled, he believes Japan is determined to take its own initiative.

Hasuike stressed that now is the time for Japan to continuously make the North Korean leader aware of what it can offer to resolve the abduction issue and improve bilateral ties.

He said resolving the issue while the relatives are alive is an important deadline for Japan, and that would be the last chance for the North to resolve it.