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Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Sakie Yokota (front R), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks to reporters following a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026. Standing next to her is her son Takuya, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

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Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (L) speaks during a meeting with members of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026.

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Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, meets the press following a meeting between members of the group and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026. His elder sister Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13.

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Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Takuya Yokota (R), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026. Sitting next to him is his mother Sakie, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13.

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Families of abductees meet with PM Takaichi

Sakie Yokota (C), whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Feb. 16, 2026. Her son Takuya (R), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, also attended the meeting.

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Families of abductees hold rally in Tokyo

Takuya Yokota (2nd from L), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks during a joint rally with a group supporting them in Tokyo on Feb. 15, 2026.

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Families of abductees hold rally in Tokyo

Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a joint rally with a group supporting them in Tokyo on Feb. 15, 2026.

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Families of abductees hold rally in Tokyo

Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a joint rally with a group supporting them in Tokyo on Feb. 15, 2026.

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Families of abductees hold rally in Tokyo

Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a joint rally with a group supporting them in Tokyo on Feb. 15, 2026.

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Symposium on N. Korea's abductions

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 14 Kyodo - Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a government-sponsored symposium on the issue in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 2025. He called for the early return of abductees including his older sister Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13. (Kyodo)

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Symposium on N. Korea's abductions

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a government-sponsored symposium on the issue in Tokyo on Dec. 13, 2025. He called for the early return of abductees including his older sister Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Rally to seek return of Japanese abductees

Former Japanese abductee Yasushi Chimura speaks during a rally held in Fukui, central Japan, on Dec. 14, 2025, for the return to Japan of other Japanese abducted by North Korea. Chimura, 70, abducted in 1978, is one of the five Japanese abducted by North Korea who returned home in 2002.

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[Breaking News]Rally of abductees' families

TOKYO, Japan, Nov. 4 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, organized by the families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, calling for their early return. Takaichi said that Japan has already conveyed to North Korea its wish to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue. (Kyodo)

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Rally of abductees' families

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, organized by the families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, calling for their early return. Takaichi said that Japan has already conveyed to North Korea its wish to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue.

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Rally of abductees' families

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, organized by the families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, calling for their early return. Takaichi said that Japan has already conveyed to North Korea its wish to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue.

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Rally of abductees' families

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, organized by the families and supporters of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, calling for their early return. Takaichi said that Japan has already conveyed to North Korea its wish to hold a summit with leader Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue.

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Rally of abductees' families

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters hold a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, taking part.

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Rally of abductees' families

Sakie Yokota, 89, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea at age 13 in 1977, speaks at a rally in Tokyo organized by the abductees' families and their supporters, calling for the abductees' early return on Nov. 3, 2025.

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Rally of abductees' families

Sakie Yokota, 89, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea at age 13 in 1977, speaks at a rally in Tokyo organized by the abductees' families and their supporters, calling for the abductees' early return on Nov. 3, 2025.

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Rally of abductees' families

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters hold a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (at the podium), taking part.

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Rally of abductees' families

Hitomi Soga, a Japanese woman who was abducted to North Korea in 1978 before being repatriated in 2002, speaks during a rally seeking the early return of other abductees in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025.

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Rally of abductees' families

Sakie Yokota, 89, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea at age 13 in 1977, speaks at a rally in Tokyo organized by the abductees' families and their supporters, calling for the abductees' early return on Nov. 3, 2025.

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Rally of abductees' families

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, speaks at a rally in Tokyo on Nov. 3, 2025, calling for their early return. Yokota is the younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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U.S. secretary of state meets with relatives of Japanese abductees

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (front row, 3rd from R) meets with relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025. Takuya Yokota (front row, 2nd from L), head of a group representing the families, attended the meeting with his mother Sakie (front row, 3rd from L), whose daughter, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13. (Pool photo)

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[Breaking News]New Japan PM Takaichi meets abductees' relatives

TOKYO, Japan, Oct. 23 Kyodo - New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi holds a meeting with relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s at her office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. (Kyodo)

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U.S. President Trump meets kin of abductees

U.S. President Donald Trump (far R) meets with family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S. President Trump meets kin of abductees

U.S. President Donald Trump (3rd from R) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (2nd from R) meet with family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025. (Pool photo)

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U.S. President Trump meets kin of abductees

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, at the State Guest House in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025. (Pool photo)

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks during a press conference after attending a meeting with new Japanese Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

Takuya Yokota (L), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, and his mother, Sakie, meet the press after attending a meeting with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, including Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing them, at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets with families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, including Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing them, at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) meets with families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, including Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing them, at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

Takuya Yokota (R), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, and his mother Sakie attend a meeting with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Japan PM Takaichi meets kin of abductees

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, and his mother Sakie attend a meeting with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the premier's office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025. Takuya's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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New Japan PM Takaichi meets abductees' relatives

New Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (far R) holds a meeting with relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s at her office in Tokyo on Oct. 23, 2025.

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Ex-abductee seeks early return of remaining abductees

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga (R) collects signatures in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Oct. 5, 2025, calling for new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi to pave the way for holding direct negotiations with North Korea to bring back all the remaining abductees, including her mother, to Japan. Soga, 66, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

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Ex-abductee seeks early return of remaining abductees

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga (R) collects signatures in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Oct. 5, 2025, calling for new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi to pave the way for holding direct negotiations with North Korea to bring back all the remaining abductees, including her mother, to Japan. Soga, 66, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

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Ex-abductee seeks early return of remaining abductees

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga (L) collects signatures in Sado, Niigata Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, on Oct. 5, 2025, calling for new Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi to pave the way for holding direct negotiations with North Korea to bring back all the remaining abductees, including her mother, to Japan. Soga, 66, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

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Former abductee Hasuike

Former Japanese abductee Kaoru Hasuike speaks during a rally in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2025, calling for a united effort to bring back all the remaining abductees to Japan. Hasuike, 67, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

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Former abductee Soga

Former Japanese abductee Hitomi Soga speaks during a rally in Saitama near Tokyo on Sept. 20, 2025, calling for a united effort to bring back all the remaining abductees to Japan. Soga, 66, returned from North Korea in 2002 following a Japan-North Korea summit in Pyongyang.

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Photo exhibition on abductees at Osaka expo

Tsutomu Nishioka, who heads a group seeking the return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a photo exhibition on the abductees at the World Exposition in Osaka on Aug. 12, 2025.

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Photo exhibition on abductees at Osaka expo

Tsutomu Nishioka, who heads a group seeking the return of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, speaks at a photo exhibition on the abductees at the World Exposition in Osaka on Aug. 12, 2025.

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Photo exhibition on abductees at Osaka expo

A photo exhibition on Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s is held at the World Exposition in Osaka on Aug. 12, 2025.

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Abductees' families hold rally

TOKYO, Japan, May 25 Kyodo - Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters hold a rally in Tokyo on May 24, 2025, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, attending. (Kyodo)

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Abductees' families hold rally

Sakie Yokota, 89, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korea at age 13 in 1977, speaks during a rally staged by Japanese abductees' families and their supporters in Tokyo on May 24, 2025. About 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, attended.

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Abductees' families hold rally

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, speaks during a rally in Tokyo on May 24, 2025, holding a picture of abductee Keiko Arimoto whose father Akihiro died in February at age 96. Yokota's sister, Megumi, was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13.

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Abductees' families hold rally

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a rally held by the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters in Tokyo on May 24, 2025.

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Abductees' families hold rally

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba (R) speaks during a rally held by the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters in Tokyo on May 24, 2025.

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Abductees' families hold rally

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago and their supporters hold a rally in Tokyo on May 24, 2025, with about 800 people, including Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, attending.