The mother of a Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea says she hopes new US President Donald Trump will rescue her daughter and other abductees from North Korea.

Yokota Sakie, who is 88 years old, issued a statement after Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday. Yokota's daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 when she was just 13.

In 2017 and 2019, Yokota met Trump when he was visiting Tokyo during his first term.

Trump raised the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals at his first summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Yokota says in her statement that many young Japanese, including her daughter, were abducted by North Korea and remain there. She says she has met Japanese prime ministers many times and asked them for help, but no progress has been made since five abductees, including Hasuike Kaoru, returned to Japan in 2002.

Yokota describes the abductions as a major issue, and wonders why it has been deadlocked. She says now that she is at an advanced age, she thinks she will not be able to see her daughter unless the issue is resolved soon. She says this makes her feel very frustrated.

Yokota says Trump can hold talks with Kim, and that she hopes Trump will call on Kim to realize the return of the abductees.