As young women move to Tokyo, rural areas face rapid depopulation, while high living costs and limited support in the city create hurdles to raising children.
As Japan and North Korea enter a dialogue phase, families call for Kim's "courageous and decisive action" for the immediate return of all victims of abductions.
Naked festivals are adapting to the modern era, including the Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri, where women participated for the first time in its 1,200-year history.