OBITUARY | North Korea Abductee's Father Dies, Never Seeing Daughter Again

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Akihiro Arimoto, the father of North Korea abduction victim Keiko Arimoto, passed away on February 15 at the age of 96. Keiko was abducted at 23 and, now 65, has yet to be returned to Japan. She went missing in the summer of 1983 while studying in the United Kingdom.

In September 1988, a letter arrived at the family home of another abductee, Toru Ishioka (now 67) in Sapporo. Ishioka, who had been abducted in Spain by North Korea in 1980, sent the letter. He revealed that he was living in Pyongyang with two other abductees: Kaoru Matsuki (now 71) and Keiko Arimoto.

North Korea's Admission

Further revelations came in March 2002, during the trial in Tokyo of the hijackers of Japan Air Lines Flight 351 (Yodogo Hijacking Incident). The former wife of one of the hijackers testified that she had been involved in Keiko's abduction. She explained that she had lured Keiko under the pretense of offering work and introduced her to the hijackers in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In the September 2002 Japan-North Korea summit, North Korean leader Kim Jong-il admitted to the abductions. However, he claimed that Keiko had died from gas poisoning, offering no evidence to support this.

Akihiro and his wife, Kayoko, tirelessly advocated for the rescue of their daughter. Kayoko passed away in February 2020 at the age of 94 due to heart failure. Akihiro, who also suffered from heart problems, had recently begun using a wheelchair.

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

Calls for Government Action

Even in his old age, Akihiro remained determined to bring his daughter home. Ever since it was confirmed that Keiko was in North Korea, he had persistently urged the Japanese government to apply more pressure on the regime.

"We can't get her back without the government's help," he said, repeatedly calling on the Japanese foreign ministry, police agency, and politicians to push for a swift resolution to the abduction issue.

Akihiro expressed outrage at North Korea's 2002 claim that Keiko had died, calling it "all lies." Even in the face of unimaginable obstacles, he continued his fight, fearing that his daughter's abduction would fade from the public's memory.

Every January, he would prepare a cake at home for Keiko's birthday. Yet, he often sadly said, "It's not the right time to say happy birthday yet."

'Top Priority' for Ishiba

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his deep regret over Akihiro's passing during a Budget Committee meeting on February 17.

"It's truly unfortunate. We must make every effort to bring the abduction victims back as soon as possible," he stated. "I met [Mr Arimoto] just a few months ago. I had known him for 23 years, and our last conversation is still vividly in my mind."

*Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks at the House of Representatives Budget Committee on February 17, at the National Diet Building. (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*

The Prime Minister also explained that during the recent Japan-United States summit, he received President Donald Trump's support for the immediate resolution of the abduction issue. He further stated that it was "very significant" that Trump was willing to raise the abduction issue during meetings with Kim Jong Un.

However, he also stated, "It's not about relying solely on the United States. We fully recognize that finding a solution through all available means is our Cabinet's top priority, and we remain open to various proposals moving forward."

US Support

Akihiro Arimoto had placed great hope in President Donald Trump to break through the deadlock. Trump, in turn, sent a letter encouraging him in 2019, writing, "Akihiro, I'm working hard for you. So is PM [Prime Minister Shinzo] Abe. You will win — Great to see you!"

Trump had visited Japan twice during his first tenure, in November 2017 and May 2019. He met with the families of abduction victims each time.

During their May 2019 meeting, Akihiro passed a letter to US officials requesting Trump's help in resolving the issue. A month later, Trump's handwritten letter arrived at Akihiro's home.

*Akihiro Arimoto holds up the letter from President Donald Trump.*

Akihiro was deeply moved and said, "I couldn't believe the US president sent me a letter." He wiped away his tears, feeling that with Trump's support, they were getting closer to a solution.

Trump had worked closely with Abe on the abduction issue, repeatedly raising it during US-North Korea summit meetings with Kim Jong Un. Trump's efforts contributed to real progress, including Kim's statement that he was willing to meet with PM Abe. The US president is expected to demonstrate his diplomatic skills again in his second term.

On January 12, Akihiro released a statement on Keiko's 65th birthday, emphasizing that the abduction issue could not be solved by Japan alone. He stressed the need for Trump's power and cooperation to resolve the issue, continuing his unwavering trust in the US president.