On the 17th, 20 years have passed since the first Japan-North Korea summit meeting, in which North Korea acknowledged the abduction of Japanese citizens.
During this time, the safety of the victims other than the five who returned to Japan remained unknown, and the families of the victims who attended a rally on the 17th expressed a strong sense of crisis in the situation in which there was absolutely no prospect of a solution, and their relatives returned to Japan early. He called for concrete actions by the government to
At the first Japan-North Korea summit meeting held on September 17, 20 years ago, North Korea admitted to the abduction of Japanese citizens and five victims returned to Japan. It's up to 12 people just by being there.
While it has taken too long to resolve, during this time eight parents have passed away without their wish to be reunited with their children.
Koichiro Iizuka, 45, the eldest son of Yaeko Taguchi, whose mother was abducted at a young age, attended a rally held in Saitama on the 17th. Looking back on the past 20 years, I can't help but feel doubts about whether the Japanese government really had the intention to bring back the victims."
In addition, he said, "I want you to understand that the abnormal situation in which the victims have not been able to return for 20 years has continued. In order to break through this situation quickly and realize the return of all the abductees, the Kishida administration has decided to send a message to North Korea. I would like you to consider a new approach," he said, calling for concrete actions by the government.
Koichiro Iizuka Inheriting the will of his adoptive parents
Koichiro Iizuka, whose mother was abducted when he was young.
He was 1 year old at the time.
Koichiro, who had just started to walk, has no memory of his mother, Yaeko.
Last week, I saw Koichiro at a cemetery in Saitama Prefecture.
At the end of last year, Shigeo Iizuka, who took over Koichiro and raised him as his own child, passed away at the age of 83.
Putting incense on Shigeo's grave and quietly putting his hands together, Koichiro said, "It's been 20 years since the Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting, and I'm still sorry that we haven't been able to save the victims. I will continue to do my best, so please lend me your strength." I prayed," he said.
At Shigeo's home, there is a notebook that records the activities of the last 20 years.
On the page of September 17, 20 years ago, "Prime Minister's visit to North Korea".
In the next day's column, the words "Death report on visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs" were written.
However, Shigeo learned that the government had announced that Yaeko had died without obtaining any confirmation, and since then he has devoted himself to rescue activities, believing that Yaeko is still alive.
A training bike placed in the room.
In his later years, Mr. Shigeo used it to maintain his health.
However, he was unable to fulfill his long-cherished wish to reunite Koichiro with his mother.
Koichiro said, ``I think he was trying to maintain his physical strength so that he could meet Yaeko in good health. I'm just lonely and I wanted to let you meet Yaeko.I can't let my father's efforts go to waste."
Koichiro was 25 years old at the time of the Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting.
He turned 45 this year.
“What has the Japanese government done in the last 20 years? Did it seriously take action to bring back the victims? It is important for the prime minister to express his intentions in his own words. So I want you to throw a stone to change the situation."
44 years since the abduction.
This is the wish of Koichiro, who still cannot find traces of his mother.
Sakie Yokota "I want to welcome Megumi somehow"
Megumi Yokota's mother, Sakie, who turned 86 years old.
Her husband Shigeru died two years ago at the age of 87 without being able to reunite with her daughter.
The couple has traveled all over the country and has given more than 1,400 lectures appealing for rescue.
But now that I'm old, I don't have that much strength left.
"I want to do my best to welcome Megumi, so I'm trying to get nourishment so that I don't die or get sick."
Sakie said so while shopping at a supermarket near her home.
She's taking care of her health above all else now, all because she's determined not to collapse until she hugs her daughter.
Megumi was kidnapped 45 years ago when she was in the first grade of junior high school, on her way home from her badminton club practice.
Ms. Sakie showed us for the first time this time the foldable red "comb" that Megumi was using at the time.
It is said that she used to comb her hair after club activities, but she did not bring it to school on the day she was abducted, and Sakie kept it carefully for 45 years.
The badminton practice clothes and uniforms are the same as those days.
"Megumi Yokota" is embroidered on the chest of the training uniform with navy blue thread, and the uniform has 6 buttons sewn on to attach the race number.
At this time, Sakie-san, who taught Megumi-san how to attach buttons for the first time.
"I said, 'Your mother will give you friends,' but I said, 'I know that, but it's definitely better to do it.' I did it," he recalled.
As she grows older, Sakie is now forced to realize that her life is limited and that she does not have much time left.
Sakie said, "There have been so many changes in the prime minister's position, and it's become a national movement, and I don't know why things aren't moving. I ask Prime Minister Kishida to hold a Japan-North Korea summit meeting as soon as possible. , I want you to have a direct dialogue with General Secretary Kim Jong-un."
North Korea's general secretary, Kim Jong-un, said, "The abduction was your father's fault, not your fault. If you would send the victims back, you would say 'thank you' in joy, and send a message from Japan to North Korea." We can send things. If Japan-North Korea relations are restored, we can draw a good future for each other."
Kaoru Hasuike: The essence of the abduction issue is the reunion of parents and children
Kaoru Hasuike, one of the abductees who was abducted by North Korea in an interview with NHK on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting, said that as the parents of the remaining victims are getting older, they are telling the government that there is only a short time left. If we do not let North Korea recognize this, we will lose the opportunity to resolve it forever," he said, expressing a strong sense of crisis.
Kaoru Hasuike was abducted by North Korea from the coast of Niigata in 1978 and returned to Japan after the Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting in 2002.
In an interview with NHK, Hasuike commented on the summit meeting 20 years ago, saying, "The goal of normalizing diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea became clear, and it was a big deal that we created a situation where ``the only way to do that is to admit the abductions.'' I think it was a success," he recalled.
On the other hand, regarding the government's response at the time to information on the safety of other victims, he said, "There may have been a part that made North Korea think that it could go on as it was because the stance of thoroughly recovering the victims collapsed. I don't think I would have been able to provide such sloppy evidence if I had gone through the negotiations thoroughly."
She said, ``North Korea is of course responsible for the fact that it has not been resolved for 20 years, but it also means that the Japanese government has not done enough to do what it should. '' he said.
Hasuike emphasized that as the population ages, more and more parents are dying without being able to reunite with their victims.
Hasuike said, "The essence of the abduction issue is the 'reunion of a parent and a child,' and it can only be said that results have been achieved once this has been achieved. The Japanese government should convey this to North Korea, and if things continue as they are, we will lose a great opportunity." We must make North Korea have a sense of crisis," he said.
He also touched on North Korea's clear stance of accelerating its nuclear and missile development, saying, "In a situation where the nuclear issue is not moving forward, Japan should discuss both the nuclear and abduction issues with North Korea. It will be difficult to reach an early resolution without negotiating the abductions alone, rather than negotiating them.It is necessary to show North Korea the card as soon as possible by telling them that they can provide a certain amount of humanitarian assistance if the victims are sent home. ' and called on the government to take concrete action.
Akihiro Arimoto, 94 years old, the oldest abductee family member
Akihiro, the father of Keiko Arimoto, the oldest of the abductees' families.
I turned 94 this year.
He and his wife, Kayoko, have been rescuers for about 30 years, but Kayoko died two years ago at the age of 94.
Due to his weakened legs and loins, Akihiro's daily walks became increasingly difficult, and he used a wheelchair more often when he went out.
In 1983, Keiko was abducted by North Korea while traveling in Europe after completing her studies in England.
At her home in Kobe, she still keeps a photo of Keiko from her university days and letters sent to her family from where she was staying abroad.
Akihiro said, "I thought I had to take action and did everything I thought would lead to the rescue of his daughter. I will continue to ask the government and politicians to take action until I die." I was talking to
Mr. Meng Matsumoto, the day I can meet my sister again and report to my mother's grave
Meng, brother of Kyoko Matsumoto, an abductee from Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture.
Kyoko's mother, Mie, who was waiting with her to return to Japan, passed away 10 years ago.
I'm hoping for the day when I can meet Kyoko again and report her return to Japan in front of Mie's grave, but Meng is 75 years old this year.
Due in part to his declining health, he is taking about 10 different medications, divided into four doses a day.
Meng said, ``Until now, I thought I had to do my best until my sister came home. I feel like I'm doing it, 'he said, worrying about how much physical strength he would have.
Last month, a lecture in Tottori Prefecture was held for the first time in about a year due to the influence of the new corona.
Meng once again appealed for a reunion with his sister.
“In order for many people to understand our feelings, we have to tell them directly,” he said.
Meng is determined to pursue the rescue of the victims until the end.
Prime Minister Kishida ``We must firmly accept the family's sense of urgency''
Prime Minister Kishida told reporters in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture, where he was visiting, "Based on the Japan-North Korea Pyongyang Declaration, we will resolve various pending issues such as abductions, nuclear weapons, and missiles, settle the unfortunate past, and aim for normalization of diplomatic relations. "There will be no change in the future. The declaration is a document signed by the leaders of both Japan and North Korea, and North Korea has not denied it either. It is important that the confirmed matters based on the declaration are faithfully implemented." said.
Regarding the abduction issue, he said, "Since five victims have returned to Japan, it is extremely regrettable that not one person has returned to Japan, and I must accept the family's sense of urgency. I have stated my determination to face General Secretary Kim Jong-un directly without giving up, but I must act with all my might without missing any opportunities."