Everyone Has the Right To Be Happy

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JAPAN Forward launched its "Ignite" series of English essays to directly share the voices of students in Japan with their global peers. It is a privilege to share the thoughts and ideas of these future leaders. One is senior high school student Koko Sugiyama, who felt a sense of urgency when she learned how long everyone had suffered as the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korean agents lingered unresolved.

Annually, the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue holds a North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week Essay Contest for junior and senior high school students across the country. (The Government of Japan established the Headquarters, an organization led by the Prime Minister and composed of all the Ministers of State, to resolve the abductions issue.) It aims to raise awareness of the abduction issue through viewing films and stage plays, reading books related to the issue, and other opportunities to help the students understand the feelings of abduction victims and their families.

The winning 2025 English essayists were honored in person at the Government of Japan's December 13, 2025, Symposium on the Abductions Issue. In this 33rd winning essay in the series, Ignite, Koko Sugiyama introduces the first steps schools can take to help broaden local and global awareness to ensure this issue is not forgotten. Let's listen.

Thirty-third in the Series, 'Ignite'

*Koko Sugiyama, a 10th-grade student at Uguisudani Senior High School in Gifu, accepts her award. (© Prime Minister's Office)*

Koko Sugiyama
Winner of the 2025 North Korean Human Rights Violations Awareness Week Senior High School English Essay Excellence Award

I felt a sense of urgency when I found out that with Keiko's father, Akihiro Arimoto, passing away this February, Megumi's mother, Sakie Yokota, is now the only surviving parent of the abductees. Together with their families, we must now carry all the hopes and wishes that so many people have harbored throughout the years.

At first, I hesitated to write about this topic because I saw the abduction issue as something distant. However, my perspective changed drastically after watching a video message from the families of abductees. I recall Mr Arimoto saying something that truly stayed with me. He said that he would never complain or simply ask people to "save Keiko," because he believed it wouldn't be a true solution if only his daughter returned.

Keiko Arimoto vanished in October 1983 while studying in Europe, and her last letter was sent from Copenhagen, Denmark. Regardless of how much time has passed, her family has never stopped fighting for all the abductees. Their intense gazes and every single word in that video were deeply moving.

That was when I decided to use my own words in English to share their message with the world, creating an opportunity for more people to think about this crucial issue. Why? Because I realized the abduction issue wasn't just "their problem" anymore — it was "ours."

'Welcome Home' With All My Heart

To begin with, I thought about my own life. I live in Aichi and go to school in Gifu. Since I'm far from where the abductions occurred, I had never really thought about it seriously. But that is no excuse to remain ignorant. People all over the world have been working hard to achieve the goal of "bringing all the abductees home." I believe we all have a role to play in understanding this, no matter where we live.

As a first step, I think more schools — not just in Japan but everywhere — should require students to write essays about the abduction issue. Writing these essays allows students to actively seek information, develop critical thinking skills, and form their own opinions. When they put their thoughts into words, the issue stops being "their" problem and becomes "my" problem. Therefore, we need to start by creating opportunities in our schools to face these issues head-on.

On the day all the abductees finally land at the airport, I want to be there with their families. I want to say "Welcome home" with all my heart. No matter how small my words may seem, I will keep speaking out in English, hoping that day will come as soon as possible.

That's why I'm writing this to you: "Everyone has the right to be happy." And we must not forget that abductions take away that right.

With this understanding, everyone must take action to solve this issue and ensure it is never forgotten. The first step can be anything — researching the current situation or watching the animation MEGUMI. Let's work toward making a world where everyone can truly be happy.

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About the Author

When she wrote this essay, Koko Sugiyama was in the 10th grade at Uguisudani Senior High School in Gifu Prefecture. She was alarmed by the stories of Akihiro Arimoto, who died without ever seeing his daughter Keiko Arimoto, following her abduction while studying in Europe, and of Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was a junior high school student when she was abducted near her home in Japan by North Korean agents. Sugiyama wrote her essay while considering what the issue was important and what schools could do to help. She shared this comment upon receiving the Excellence Award for her English Essay by a Senior High School student:

"Never forget that there is happiness that remains stolen. Even if you are far away from where the abductions took place, you can take the step to see this issue as your own. Doing so will be a sure source of strength in helping to restore someone's happiness."