North Korea Abductions: Families Racing Against Time

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The new policy adopted on February 15 by the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea places greater emphasis on urging the realization of a Japan–North Korea summit.

This shift reflects the heartfelt desire to achieve early reunions between the abductees and their families, particularly as many family members have passed away in recent years.

A Dream and Dire Reality

Takuya Yokota (57), the younger brother of abductee Megumi Yokota (now 61、abducted at 13) and head of the association, opened his remarks at a press conference after Sunday's joint meeting: "Last night, I had a dream in which Megumi suddenly came home. It was incredibly vivid — so much so that I woke up in surprise."

Takuya hopes his dream will prove prophetic, but the current situation for those waiting remains dire.

Exactly one year before the meeting, on February 15, 2025, Keiko Arimoto's father, Akihiro (96), passed away. Keiko, now 66, was 23 at the time of her abduction by North Korean agents.

*Megumi Yokota, dressed in her mother's kimono, poses for a commemorative photo in front of their home. Ten months later, she was abducted by North Korean agents. January 1977, Niigata City.*

This left Megumi's mother, Sakie (90), as the only surviving member of the parent generation in the association.

In February 2020, Keiko's mother, Kayoko, passed away at the age of 94. In June of the same year, Megumi's father, Shigeru — the first head of the association — passed away at 87.

Shigeo Iizuka, the brother of Yaeko Taguchi (now 70, abducted at 22) and the second representative of the association, also passed away at 83 in December 2021.

Against this backdrop, the families' sense of desperation has intensified.

*Sakie Yokota, mother of abduction victim Megumi Yokota, answers questions from reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on November 17 (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*

Deception and Desperation

Since 2022, the association's guiding slogan has called for the immediate, full repatriation of all abductees while the parents' generation is still alive.

"My mother may be well today, but she might not be tomorrow," Takuya said at the press conference. "I want both the Japanese and North Korean governments to fully grasp this sense of urgency."

Akihiro Arimoto (right) and Shigeru Yokota appeal for the rescue of abductees at a national rally in September 2002. They steadfastly continued their efforts, hoping to reunite with their beloved daughters, but their wishes remained unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, North Korea has repeatedly claimed that the eight remaining abduction victims are "deceased," presenting fake remains purportedly belonging to Megumi, among other deceptive maneuvers.

The families, who have been misled for so long, remain wary.

"North Korea will surely continue such schemes," Megumi's other brother, Tetsuya (57), said. "They might make outrageous demands or engage in hostage diplomacy," he added

"Every day, I live thinking only of whether everyone is alive and well. I earnestly pray for the day when this will be resolved peacefully," Sakie, Megumi's mother, pleaded at the conference.