The relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea say they have asked Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to face North Korea without conceding any conditions in order to bring back abductees while their parents are still alive.

The group of relatives and their supporters compiled a new action plan on February 25. It said the relatives will not oppose the Japanese government lifting sanctions on North Korea if all abductees are returned. The group mentioned "lifting sanctions" for the first time.

The group met with Kishida on Monday to explain the plan. Yokota Takuya, the head of the group and the brother of abductee Yokota Megumi, said at a news conference that the group conveyed their feelings behind the plan. He said Kishida told them he took the matter seriously.

Yokota said he wants the prime minister to make use of the relatives' anger in his diplomacy with Pyongyang so that they can envision a brighter future between the two countries if a summit meeting takes place.

Takuya's mother, Sakie, said North Korea is a difficult country to face, but she hopes the abductees will be returned to Japan to be reunited with their families.

Iizuka Koichiro, the oldest son of abductee Taguchi Yaeko, said he wants Kishida to carefully analyze North Korea's recent actions without wavering when they make a move.

Iizuka said family members, who are deceased, had desperately wanted their loved ones to come home. He stressed that he wants Kishida to do his best to bring about the immediate return of all the abductees.