With the families of North Korean abductees holding a large rally in Tokyo and Prime Minister Kishida in attendance, he urged the government to return all victims as soon as possible.
A large-scale rally by the families of the abductees has been held since October last year due to the effects of the new coronavirus.
Shigeo Iizuka (83), the elder brother of Yaeko Taguchi, who was the representative of the family association who stood in the greeting, said, "Our activities have been interrupted for a long time due to the spread of the new corona infection, but we can never give up. I want you to make a schedule for this and give an answer to it. "
Megumi Yokota's mother, Sakie Yokota (85), said, "I've been working to rescue children for a long time, but I can't see or hear them. My daughter only for 13 years. I'm really disappointed that I wasn't able to raise her, and as a mother, I don't have any shame or hearing anymore. Please support me. "
After that, Megumi's younger brother Takuya said, "North Korea is a national system where only General Secretary Kim Jong Eun can approve, and I hope Prime Minister Kishida will face it with a strong feeling." In addition to asking for the realization, Koichiro Iizuka, the eldest son of Yaeko Taguchi, said, "If you cannot return to Japan while your parents' generation is alive, it will not be a true solution. We should tell North Korea the benefits of solving the abduction issue. "
Finally, the rally adopted a resolution calling on the government to return all victims as soon as possible and also on North Korea to make a decision to return all victims.
Prime Minister Kishida "Make sure to solve it with my own hands"
At the rally, Prime Minister Kishida said that the abduction issue was the most important issue for the Cabinet, "I strongly believe that it must be resolved by my own hands," and emphasized the idea of doing everything in its power to resolve it.
Prime Minister Kishida said, "Since the return of five abductees in 2002, we have not been able to return to one, and we are really sorry that many victims are still left behind in North Korea." Said.
On top of that, "The abduction issue is the most important issue for the Kishida Cabinet. As the victims' families are getting older, there is no time to resolve the abduction issue. I emphasized.
He also said that it is essential to gain the understanding and cooperation of the international community, and he said that he would like to deepen his understanding with President Biden about the importance of problem solving when he visits the United States in the future.
He also pointed out that it is extremely important for Japan to take the initiative in building relationships between top management, and reiterated his determination to face North Korea's General Secretary Kim Jung-eun directly without any conditions.
Then, Prime Minister Kishida said, "We will do our best not to miss any chance. We will take the lead as Prime Minister to realize the return of all abductees as soon as possible, and the government will make every effort. I will go. "