The brother of a Japanese woman abducted by North Korea exactly 45 years ago has made a renewed appeal for an early return of his sister and other abductees.

Masumoto Teruaki, the younger brother of Masumoto Rumiko, conducted a signature-collecting campaign in Tokyo on Saturday.

She and Ichikawa Shuichi were abducted to North Korea from a beach in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima on August 12, 1978. The couple had said they were going to watch the sunset.

Masumoto said that 45 years on, he still does not know the whereabouts of his sister. He also said he just wants to get the abductees back, so they can happily spend their remaining years in Japan.

He called on people to support the drive urging the Japanese government to bring the abductees home as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has said he wants to start high-level talks under his direct supervision with a view to holding a summit with the North Korean leader at an early date. Whether Kishida can deliver on that pledge is being closely watched, as the abductees, as well as their relatives, are aging.

After campaigning, Masumoto said another August 12 has come around without any progress. He said he is disappointed, but he will keep working as he has a mission to achieve.

He said the prime minister should express a stronger resolve, telling North Korea that he will travel to the country no matter what it says.