Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno met with members of the so-called Family Association of Specified Missing Persons, whose possibility of being abducted by North Korea cannot be ruled out. He also shared his thoughts on making every effort to realize his early return to Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno, who also serves as the Minister for the Abduction Issue, met with the members of the "Specified Missing Persons Family Association" for the first time since taking office at the Prime Minister's Office on the afternoon of the 4th.
In this, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "Given the thoughts of the victims who have been waiting for Chiaki to return home for many years and the families who strongly demand the return of their relatives, I am very sorry for the feelings. No, "he said.
He added, "The abduction issue is the most important issue in the Kishida Cabinet. As the family and the victims themselves are getting older, there is no time to spare," he said. He expressed his intention to make every effort to realize the victim's return to Japan as soon as possible.
On the other hand, Hideki (78), the brother of Yu Imai, who was the chairman of the Investigation Commission on Missing Persons and lost his whereabouts in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture 52 years ago, said, I have requested the Minister, but it has not been realized yet. Prime Minister Kishida said, "The special skill is to listen to people's stories," so I ask you to listen to them. " ..
Hideki Imai said, "I strongly requested that you do not discriminate between abductees and specific disappearances. The government always says" I'm doing my best ", but it's hard to talk about it, and I'll do it a little more as a government. There must be something to be done. People who want to return to Japan and their families who are waiting for them will grow older, and if they continue to do so, they will collapse together. I want them to be resolved as soon as possible. "