Japanese people whose relatives were abducted by North Korea are renewing their calls for action so they can see their loved ones again. They urge Tokyo to work more closely on the issue with the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Group head Yokota Takuya spoke at a rally on Friday in Tokyo. North Korea abducted his sister, Megumi, in 1977 when she was 13.

He pointed out that the clock is ticking, saying his 88-year-old mother, Sakie, is in good health now, but might not be tomorrow.

Takuya added that the physical condition of 96-year-old Arimoto Akihiro, the father of another abductee, Keiko, appears to be waning.

He also said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un needs to seriously acknowledge the urgency of the situation.

Trump held the first-ever US-North Korea summit in 2018 during his first term as president. He raised the abduction issue and noted the importance of getting it resolved.

Takuya, who has met Trump twice, says 2025 will be a decisive year. He also said the Japanese government must take a firm stance.

The families of the abductees are considering a trip to the United States to directly appeal to Trump's administration.