Arimoto Death an Urgent Call to Bring Home Abductees of North Korea

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Akihiro Arimoto, the father of North Korean abduction victim Keiko Arimoto, has passed away. He was 96.

At times, he spoke harshly about the government. But it always sounded like a heartfelt cry from his heart, showing how much he yearned to be reunited with his beloved daughter. Now that this grieving father has died, the Japanese government should do its utmost to respond to his anguished pleas.

Keiko disappeared without warning in 1983 while studying abroad in London. It wasn't until 1988 that it was discovered she was in North Korea. Yet the lengthy battle surrounding her cruel abduction continues to this day.

What We Know About Keiko's Abduction

Akihiro Arimoto's daughter was abducted from Europe and taken to North Korea. This was revealed by the ex-wife of one of the terrorists involved in the March 1970 hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351, known as the Yodo-go case. The woman testified to her involvement in Keiko's abduction and apologized directly to Keiko's parents. Akihiro Arimoto controlled his anger and thanked the woman for admitting what had happened.

When North Korea itself first acknowledged the abductions in 2002, it claimed that Keiko and several other abductees had "died." However, Pyongyang failed to provide any evidence to substantiate its claim. Based on the birthdate the North Koreans gave for Keiko and other reasons, Keiko's family rejected Pyongyang's assertion and continued to believe that "Keiko is definitely still alive."

*Akihiro and Kayoko Arimoto hold a picture of their daughter, Keiko, abducted by North Korea.*

Citizens' Rescue Movement

The Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea is made up of the families left in Japan when their loved ones were abducted by North Korea. Following Arimoto's death, on February 16, the association affirmed its campaign policy for 2025. It demands the Japanese government "achieve the simultaneous return of all abduction victims while their parents' generation of family members are still alive."

The group's leader is Takuya Yokota, the younger brother of abduction victim Megumi Yokota, who was kidnapped at age 13. He emphasizes that members of the families of the abductees are getting older. On behalf of the families, he declared, "This year's policy includes the hope that the [Japanese] government will be conscious of this human time limit."

With Arimoto's death, the only person still alive from the parent generation is Megumi's 89-year-old mother, Sakie. There is little time left. That point needs to be driven home.

Families (onstage) and participants of the abductees in high spirits at the "National Assembly Calling for the Immediate Return of All Abductees" on May 27, 2023 in Tokyo (© Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida)

Unleash the Anger on North Korea

The abductions of Japanese citizens were ruthless kidnappings perpetrated by state agents sent out for that purpose by North Korea. The blame lies solely with North Korea.

However, the ire of the victims' families is also being directed at the Japanese government, which they believe has been wasting time. More than 40 years later, the government has not done all it needs to do to bring the abductees home.

What will it take to move North Korea to return the abductees? At the very least, the Japanese government and the public must join together with the families of the abductees in righteous anger. This anger should envelop the international community, including the United States. It must drive Pyongyang into a corner. That, surely, is the only way to finally resolve this problem.

Upon learning of Arimoto's death, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commented: "It is truly regrettable. We will use all means to ensure the return of the victims as soon as possible."

However, the abductees' families have come out in strong opposition to Ishiba's plan for a Japan-North Korea liaison office. They see it as rewarding North Korea's continued bad behavior, including the abductions, which continue to this day.

Japan must unite in its stance if we are ever to move North Korea and bring home the abduction victims.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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