Abduction victim family All victims return to home

Abduction victims family All victims return to Japan Demand concrete action from the government June 6: 4:56

Mr. Shigeru Yokota, the father of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea and has been helping her daughter for more than 40 years, passed away on the 5th. The families of the abductees urged the Japanese government to take concrete measures to return all the victims to the country, saying that “the solution cannot be said if they cannot meet their relatives alive.” ) I will call the chairman for a decision.

Shigeru Yokota is the father of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in Niigata City when she was in the first grade of junior high school in 1977, and has been pleading for the rescue of her daughter for more than 40 years. He died at the age of 87.

Shigeru, who had been at the forefront of activities as a “symbol of the abduction victim's rescue movement” along with his wife, Sakie, died, and deep sadness is spreading among the victims' families.

Hikari, the younger brother of Ms. Rumiko Masumoto, who has been working with Shigeru for many years, said, "I am not shocked. Our strong desire to return home is unchanged. I want you to have it."

Also, Yaeko Taguchi's eldest son, Koichiro Iizuka, said, "It is clear that we do not have time. I hope that both the Japanese government and Chairman Kim Jung Eun will understand that there is no real solution without a reunion with their families." Did.

In February this year, Keiko Arimoto's mother Kayoko passed away, and the parents who are still alive today are Megumi Yokota's mother Sakie and Arimoto's father Akihiro. Solving problems is a time struggle.

The family calls for the Japanese government to take concrete steps to return all the victims to the country, saying that "it cannot be said that it will not be a solution unless we can reunit with our immediate family", and call on North Korean President Kim Jung Eun to make a decision. I am going to go.

Kaoru Hasuike "I was pretty shocked"

Megumi Yokota and Kaoru Hasuike, who lived in the same district of Pyongyang City after returning to Japan 18 years ago after being abducted by North Korea, said, ``I was not shocked that I would die so quickly, so I was shocked. When I talked to Shigeru about Megumi's situation in North Korea, he said, "Did you say such a thing?" When I contacted him, I had a look that I couldn't control my joy. On the contrary, I felt a strong attitude that I would definitely get it back," he recalled and mourned Shigeru.

Mr. Hasuike said, "There may be political calculations and diplomatic cards for the North Korean authorities, but it is unforgivable to prevent the reunion so far. Anger and resentment at the North Korean authorities I would like to ask the Japanese government to take responsibility," he said, and I am sorry that I could not see the attitude of not only looking at the situation but also trying to regain it by considering risks. No, I want you to work so that the remaining Sakie and Akihiro Arimoto can hug their daughters."