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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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Monument unveiled to draw attention to South Korean abductees

Families of five high school students abducted by North Korea in 1977 and 1978 attend a ceremony to unveil a monument in Seonyudo, South Korea, on May 24, 2024, that draws attention to their abduction.

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Monument unveiled to draw attention to South Korean abductees

Families of five high school students abducted by North Korea in 1977 and 1978 pose for a photo at a ceremony to unveil a monument in Seonyudo, South Korea, on May 24, 2024, that draws attention to their abduction.

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Monument unveiled to draw attention to South Korean abductees

South Korean Unification Minister Kim Young Ho speaks during a ceremony to unveil a monument in Seonyudo, South Korea, on May 24, 2024, that draws attention to the abduction of five high school students by North Korea in 1977 and 1978.

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Japanese abductees before 10th anniv. of return home

NIIGATA, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike (L) and his wife Yukiko, two of the five Japanese abductees repatriated to Japan from North Korea on Oct. 15, 2002, hold a press conference in the city hall of Kashiwazaki on the Sea of Japan coast in Niigata Prefecture on Oct. 13, 2012, ahead of the 10th anniversary of their return home.

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Tokyo Gate Bridge lit up in blue in hope for rescue of abductees

TOKYO, Japan - (From R) Shigeru Yokota and his wife Sakie, whose daughter Megumi Yokota was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977 aged 13, answer reporters' questions in front of Tokyo Gate Bridge in Tokyo's Koto Ward on Aug. 27, 2012. The bridge was illuminated in blue, after the blue ribbons worn by families of abductees to symbolize their call for the return of all abductees from North Korea, ahead of the 10th anniversary in October of five abductees returning home.

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Tokyo Gate Bridge lit up in blue in hope for rescue of abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken Aug. 27, 2012, in Tokyo's Koto Ward shows Tokyo Gate Bridge illuminated in blue, after the blue ribbons worn by families of abductees to symbolize their call for the return of all abductees from North Korea, ahead of the 10th anniversary in October of five abductees returning home. (From R front) Shigeru Yokota and his wife Sakie, whose daughter Megumi Yokota was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977 aged 13, view the bridge.

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Japan calls on N. Korea to resolve abduction issue on anniversary

NIIGATA, Japan - Shigeru and Sakie Yokota, the parents of Megumi, who was abducted to North Korea from Niigata 30 years ago when she was 13, attend a meeting in Niigata on Oct. 15 calling for public support on the abduction issue. Oct. 15 marks the fifth anniversary of the repatriation of five Japanese abductees from North Korea and Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura renewed calls for North Korea to resolve the abduction issue. North Korea says Megumi committed suicide, a claim rejected by Japan.

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Chimura remained isolated in N. Korea after abduction

OBAMA, Japan - Yasushi Chimura, one of the five Japanese abductees repatriated from North Korea in 2002, speaks with reporters in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, on May 28. Chimura said he remained isolated for a long time after he was abducted in 1978.

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N. Korea isolated abductee Hasuike from society in late 1990s

KASHIWAZAKI, JHapan - Kaoru Hasuike, one of five abductees repatriated from North Korea, speaks with reporters in his hometown of Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on May 25. Hasuike said he was kept isolated in the North during the late 1990s when the abduction of Japanese citizens was becoming an increasingly important issue in Japan.

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Hasuikes arrive at Kashiwazaki home

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike (R) speaks to supporters and neighbors in front of his house in Kashiwazaki, Nikata Prefecture, May 23 after arriving there with his wife Yukiko (L), and their two children. Kaoru and Yukiko, two of five Japanese abductees repatriated from North Korea in 2002, were reunited with their children on the previous night in Tokyo.

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(1)Hasuikes, Soga leave for hometowns in Niigata Pref.

TOKYO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (L), one of the five Japanese abductees repatriated from North Korea, leaves a Tokyo hotel May 23 for her hometown in Niigata Prefecture. Soga was unable to reunite with her American husband, Charles Jenkins, 64, and their two daughters because they declined to come to Japan.

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Ex-abductees express joy over coming reunions with children

TOKYO, Japan - Four of the five repatriated abductees expressed joy in Tokyo on May 22 over the reunions to take place later in the day with their sons and daughters, when Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi returns home from Pyongyang after talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. But they also expressed unhappiness that the three family members of a former abductee, Hitomi Soga (C), will not be coming to Japan at this time. The four are (from L to R) Yasushi Chimura and his wife Fukie, Yukiko Hasuike and her husband Kaoru.

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Koizumi to bring 5 of 8 abductees' kin to Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Women look at an extra newspaper issue in Tokyo's Yurakucho district May 22 reporting that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will bring five of the eight family members of five repatriated Japanese abductees to Japan.

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Koizumi vows to pick up abductees' kin, eyes cooperative ties

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro speaks to reporters at Tokyo's Haneda airport before boarding a government plane for Pyongyang. Koizumi vowed to make utmost efforts to bring the family members of five repatriated abductees to Japan.

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Koizumi seeking to bring home kin of abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi speaks at his office on May 21 about his visit to Pyongyang for talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, hoping to bring to Japan eight family members of five repatriated abductees and gain convincing accounts of the fates of 10 other abductees.

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5 abductees anticipate reunions after Japan-N. Korea talks

TOKYO, Japan - Five repatriated Japanese abductees from North Korea -- (from L to R) Yasushi Chimura, his wife Fukie, Hitomi Soga, Yukiko Hasuike and her husband Kaoru -- hold a news conference in Tokyo on May 21 ahead of Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to Pyongyang on May 22. Koizumi will meet N. Korean leader Kim Jong Il for talks on the abduction and other issues.

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Ex-abductees hail plan for Koizumi visit Pyongyang

TOYAMA, Japan - Toru Hasuike, a relative of one five Japanese abductees repatriated from North Korea, said in Toyama May 9 he wants Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to visit Pyongyang to pick up their abductee relatives.

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(3)Koizumi does not rule out another trip to N. Korea

TOKYO, Japan - Deputy Foreign Minister Hitoshi Tanaka (fore) and Mitoji Yabunaka, director general of the Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, emerge from a meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the prime minister's office on May 6. The premier later did not rule out the possibility of his revisit to North Korea to bring the kin of five repatriated Japanese abductees to Japan.

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(3)5 ex-N. Korea abductees cast votes in election

MANO, Japan - Hitomi Soga cast her ballot in the House of Representatives election in Mano on Sadogashima Island, Niigata Prefecture, on Nov. 9. She is among five Japanese abducted by North Korea who returned to Japan last year. (Pool photo)

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(1)5 ex-N. Korea abductees cast votes in election

OBAMA, Japan - Yasushi Chimura and his wife, Fukie, cast their ballots in the House of Representatives election in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, on Nov. 9. The couple are among five Japanese abducted by North Korea who returned to Japan last year.

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(2)5 ex-N. Korea abductees cast votes in election

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike and his wife, Yukiko, cast their ballots in the House of Representatives election in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on Nov. 9. The couple are among five Japanese abducted by North Korea who returned to Japan last year.

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Hasuike's parents want Koizumi to revisit N. Korea

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Hidekazu (R) and Hatsui (L) Hasuike, the parents of Kaoru Hasuike, one of five Japanese abductees to North Korea, speak during an interview with Kyodo News at their home in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on Oct. 3. They expressed discontent over the Japanese government's efforts to resolve the abduction issue.

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Abductees' kin waiting for missing a year after summit

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeru Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted in 1977 at the age of 13 and was reported by the North to have died, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Sept. 17, exactly one year after the historic Japan-North Korea summit talks. ''There has been no progress at all since Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi visited North Korea and five of the abductees returned,'' Yokota said.

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Returned abductees hope for early reunion with children

TOKYO, Japan - Five repatriated Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea in 1978 (standing) address a rally at a Tokyo International Forum hall in Tokyo's Yurakucho district on May 7. They expressed hope of being reunited soon with their children and relatives remaining in North Korea.

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Soga receives donations from abductees support group

MANO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (L), one of five Japanese repatriated in October 2002 after being kidnapped to North Korea in 1978, receives donations on April 12 from Harunori Kojima (R), of a support group for abductees in Niigata Prefecture, at the town hall in her hometown of Mano, Niigata.

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(3)Abductees' kin meet White House, Pentagon officials

WASHINGTON, United States - Relatives of three Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea -- (from R to L) Toru Hasuike, Shigeru Yokota, Yokota's wife Sakie and Teruaki Masumoto -- attend a news conference at the Japanese Embassy in Washington on March 6. They spoke about the results of their five-day visit to the U.S. to seek support from the government and Congress members in solving the abduction issue.

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Abductees' kin to go to Washington next week to seek help

TOKYO, Japan - Teruaki Masumoto (R), whose sister Rumiko was abducted by North Korea in 1978, speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 28. Masumoto will make a five-day visit to Washington on March 3 with three other relatives of abductees to ask the U.S. government for help in resolving the abduction issue.

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Hasuike begins job at welfare facility

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Yukiko Hasuike (R), one of five Japanese abductees repatriated from North Korea last year, starts her job at a Kashiwazaki city government welfare facility in Niigata Prefecture on Feb. 18. She will work part-time before becoming a full-time employee in April (Pool photo)

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Abductee urges N. Korea to take humanitarian view of children

OBAMA, Japan - Yasushi Chimura and his wife Fukie, two of five Japanese abducted by North Korea in 1978 but now back in Japan, speak to reporters at his home in Obama, Fukui Prefecture, on Dec. 30. Chimura said he wants Pyongyang to approach the issue of the abductees' children still in North Korea from a humanitarian perspective. (Pool photo)

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Soga gives birthday gift to father

MANO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (R), one of five abductees now back in Japan, hands her father Shigeru a sweater as his birthday gift at their home in the town of Mano, Niigata Prefecture on Dec. 21. (Pool photo)

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Abductees travel to Hyoko Lake

NIIGATA, Japan - The five Japanese (in left group) now back home after being abducted to North Korea in 1978 travel to Hyoko Lake in northern Niigata Prefecture on Dec. 20 after spending a night at a nearby spa. (From L to R) are Kaoru Hasuike, Yasushi Chimura, Hitomi Soga, Yukiko Hasuike and Fukie Chimura. At right are Sakie Yokota and her husband Shigeru, whose daughter was abducted to North Korea in 1977. (Pool photo)

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5 abductees meet Abe

NIIGATA, Japan - The five Japanese (seated in center) now back home after being abducted to North Korea in 1978 meet Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe (R) and Cabinet Secretariat special adviser Kyoko Nakayama (R, background) at a Niigata hotel Dec. 19. The returnees removed their North Korean badges in the meeting. (Pool photo)

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5 abductees meet relatives of abduction victims

NIIGATA, Japan - The five Japanese (seated background)) now back home after being abducted to North Korea in 1978 meet relatives of other Japanese abduction victims at a Niigata hotel Dec. 19. (From R to L, background) are Kaoru Hasuike, Yasushi Chimura, Hitomi Soga, Fukie Chimura and Yukiko Hasuike. The returnees removed their North Korean badges in the meeting. (Pool photo)

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5 abductees meet for 1st time since mid-Oct.

NIIGATA, Japan - Five Japanese nationals abducted to North Korea in 1978 and now back in their homeland meet in Niigata on Dec. 18 for their first reunion since returning to their respective hometowns from Tokyo two months ago. Seated (from L to R) are Yasushi Chimura, Kaoru Hasuike, Yukiko Hasuike, Hitomi Soga and Fukie Chimura.

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Niigata Pref. employees wear ribbons to support abductees

NIIGATA, Japan - Some Niigata prefectural government employees begin wearing blue ribbons Dec. 3 in support of a movement to reunite five former Japanese abductees to North Korea now back in Japan with their family members who remain in the North.

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No progress in talks if abductees not returned to North

PYONGYANG, North Korea - Pak Ryong Yon, deputy chief of the North Korean Foreign Ministry's bureau in charge of Japanese affairs, speaks in an interview with Kyodo News at a hotel in Pyongyang on Nov. 29. He indicated there will be no development in bilateral talks as long as Japan does not send back the five abductees who are now on a homecoming trip in Japan.

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Family group presents Hasuikes with financial assistance

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Shigeru Yokota (R), who heads a group of families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, shows Kaoru Hasuike (2nd from L) and his wife Yukiko (L) a foreign newspaper reporting the homecoming of the five Japanese abductees, including the Hasuike couple at their family home in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture on Nov. 23. Yokota also presented the Hasuikes with financial assistance. Yokota's wife Sakie sits next to her husband. (Pool photo)

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Niigata gov. urge gov't to step up support for abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Niigata Gov. Ikuo Hirayama speaks to reporters at the prime minister's office Nov. 14 after meeting Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe. The governor said he had asked the government to expand its livelihood support for abducted Japanese who are back in Japan from North Korea. Three of the five abducted people are in Niigata Prefecture.

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Hasuike encouraged by support group

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike (2nd from L) and his wife Yukiko (L), two of five Japanese abducted to North Korea in 1978 currently on a homecoming visit, chat with Katsumi Sato (R), president of a support group for Japanese abductees and their families, at the Hasuike family home in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture on Nov. 12. (Pool photo)

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N. Korean Red Cross officials leave Japan

NARITA, Japan - Ri Ho Rim (R), deputy general secretary of North Korea's Red Cross Society, and his colleague, Pak Yong Nam (L), are surrounded by reporters before their departure from Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on Nov. 9. They accompanied five Japanese abductees on their homecoming visit.

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N. Korean Red Cross officials criticize Japan

TOKYO, Japan - Ri Ho Rim, deputy general secretary of North Korea's Red Cross Society, speaks to reporters at a Tokyo hotel before leaving Japan on Nov. 9. Ri, who accompanied five Japanese abductees on a homecoming visit, said he and his colleague, Pak Yong Nam, were completely unable to contact the five in their hometowns in Fukui and Niigata prefectures. ''As we can't contact the five, it is impossible to believe media reports that they are changing their minds (about a permanent return),'' Ri said.

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Students at Hasuike's alma mater hold signature petition drive

TOKYO, Japan - One of students at the alma mater of Kaoru Hasuike, one of five Japanese abductees currently on a homecoming visit, distributes leaflets to colleagues Nov. 4 during a signature petition drive to promote the reunion between the five and their relatives in North Korea and a full resolution to the abductions.

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Soga hopes for early reunion with her family

NIIGATA, Japan - Hitomi Soga, one of five abductees to North Korea, speaks to reporters at a hospital in Niigata on Oct. 31 about the just-ended two-day normalization talks between Japan and North Korea in Kuala Lumpur. Soga, whose American husband and two daughters live in North Korea, said, ''It is nothing but regrettable that an early reunion with my family has been put off further.'' (Pool photo)

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Koizumi promises efforts for abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Yukio Hatoyama (L), president of the opposition Democratic Party of Japan, poses questions to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi (4th from R) during a debate among party leaders at the Diet on Oct. 30. Koizumi said his government is trying its best to reunite five Japanese abductees now in Japan on their first homecoming in 24 years with their families in Pyongyang.

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5 abductees to stay in Japan longer than planned

TOKYO, Japan - Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda announces Oct. 24 that the current homecoming visit of five Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea 24 years ago will be extended. He said Japan will demand that North Korea send the abductees' relatives to Japan as the ''top priority'' in upcoming normalization talks with Pyongyang.

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Abductees' relatives meet gov't officials

TOKYO, Japan - Relatives of Japanese abducted to North Korea attend a news conference in Tokyo on Oct. 23 after meeting Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe. They submitted a letter opposing the return of five abductees visiting Japan to the North, demanding all relatives of the five in the communist state be brought to Japan.

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(5)Abductees spend their time in hometown

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Kaoru Hasuike, one of five Japanese on their first homecoming since being abducted to North Korea in 1978, is tossed by his friends at the end of a baseball game they played together at their alma mater in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture, on Oct. 19.

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(4)Abductees spend their time in hometown

HAMO, Japan - Hitomi Soga (C), one of five Japanese on their first homecoming since being abducted to North Korea in 1978, holds the hand of her nephew Daisuke at a Shinto shrine in Sadogashima Island, Niigata Prefecture, on Oct. 19. She is accompanied by her younger sister Tomiko (R).

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Abductees receive passports in hometown

KASHIWAZAKI, Japan - Yukiko Okudo (L) and her husband Kaoru Hasuike receive Japanese passports on Oct. 19 at Hasuike's house in Kashiwazaki, Niigata Prefecture. The two are among five Japanese on their first homecoming since being abducted to North Korea in 1978. (Pool photo)