A cyberattack has suspended computer systems of a large telescope with the world's leading performance in Chile, hampering observation by international astronomers for more than one month.

Japan is one of the operators of the huge radio telescope known as ALMA. It has contributed about a quarter of the overall facility plan. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan says ALMA suffered a cyberattack on its system on October 29, leaving astronomical observations suspended even now.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu has recorded a radio message for Japanese abductees in North Korea. He pledged that the government will spare no effort to bring them home as soon as possible.

Kato, who also serves as abductions issue minister, recorded the message on Monday. It will be aired by a group investigating the whereabouts of hundreds of missing people possibly abducted by North Korea.