Abductees' Relatives Request Govt. To Take Action
Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea have strongly urged the Japanese government to take measures to repatriate their loved ones as soon as possible.
The relatives, including Shigeo Iizuka and Akihiro Arimoto, met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Friday.
Shigeo Iizuka is the head of the relatives' group, and Akihiro Arimoto is the father of abductee Keiko Arimoto.
Abe offered his condolences to Arimoto whose wife died on February 3. Abe said they had fought together to bring back the abductees since he served as a secretary to his father, the former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe.
Abe said after the death of Keiko's mother, he has renewed his wish to make every effort to bring back the abductees as soon as possible. He also said many family members have passed away.
Abe said that coordination with other countries is vital but the abductee issue is basically Japan's problem. He also said that he will do everything, including the realization of a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
After the meeting, Iizuka said the relatives will closely follow the government's moves.
