Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu has reiterated that the government will do all it can to bring back Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
Matsuno, who is also the minister in charge of abduction issues, visited the city of Yonago in Tottori Prefecture on Sunday. It was from that city on the Sea of Japan coast that one of the victims, Matsumoto Kyoko, was abducted 45 years ago.
Her brother, Matsumoto Hajime, accompanied Matsuno to the site where she was taken by North Korean agents.
Matsuno later attended a rally calling for the resolution of the abduction issue.
He said his heart aches when he thinks about the brother's longing to be reunited with his sister.
He also said he is sorry that no victim has returned to Japan since five abductees were repatriated in 2002.
He called the issue a top priority of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet, and noted that time is running out as the victims and their relatives are aging.
Matsuno also said Japan will work with the United States and other nations to seize any opportunity to bring back every abductee, whether they are officially recognized as victims by the government or not.
Matsuno, who is also the minister in charge of abduction issues, visited the city of Yonago in Tottori Prefecture on Sunday. It was from that city on the Sea of Japan coast that one of the victims, Matsumoto Kyoko, was abducted 45 years ago.
Her brother, Matsumoto Hajime, accompanied Matsuno to the site where she was taken by North Korean agents.
Matsuno later attended a rally calling for the resolution of the abduction issue.
He said his heart aches when he thinks about the brother's longing to be reunited with his sister.
He also said he is sorry that no victim has returned to Japan since five abductees were repatriated in 2002.
He called the issue a top priority of Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Cabinet, and noted that time is running out as the victims and their relatives are aging.
Matsuno also said Japan will work with the United States and other nations to seize any opportunity to bring back every abductee, whether they are officially recognized as victims by the government or not.
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Summary
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu emphasized efforts to repatriate Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea. Matsuno, handling abduction issues, visited Yonago city where one abductee, Matsumoto Kyoko, was taken 45 years ago. Accompanied by Kyoko's brother, he expressed empathy for
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ID: 633959b8-f044-4089-b82f-2024c0a80b98
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221002_14/
Date: Oct. 2, 2022
Created: 2022/10/02 18:28
Updated: 2025/12/09 13:12
Last Read: 2022/10/02 18:28