Japan's top government spokesperson has expressed his will to make utmost efforts to realize the swift return of all Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa is in charge of the abductions issue.

He made the pledge on Monday as he met members of a group seeking to reunite with missing family members whose abduction by North Korea could not be ruled out, but have yet to be officially recognized as an abductee.

During the talks, Hayashi apologized that the government has failed to realize the return of Japanese nationals in North Korea, following the return of five abductees in 2002.

He said Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has expressed his intention to hold high-level talks to arrange a meeting between Kishida and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Hayashi said under Kishida's leadership, the government will take bold steps to realize the return of all Japanese abductees, regardless of whether the government officially identified them as abductees or not.

The head of the group, Imai Hideki, noted that the government has not identified any other missing persons as an abductee except for one missing person in 2006.

Imai said the group has material on those highly likely to have been abducted, and he wants the government to swiftly recognize them.

Imai's brother Yutaka went missing after leaving his home in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture in 1969.

He said families waiting at home are getting old, and he wants the government to take the initiative to swiftly resolve the issue.

He also expressed hopes that the police will investigate the matter relating to his brother so that he will be recognized officially as an abductee.

In addition to 17 Japanese nationals officially recognized as abductees by North Korea, the government has acknowledged there are numerous missing cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out.