•  
Abductees' relatives in Washington

Abductees' relatives in Washington

Takuya Yokota (L), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, and group member Koichiro Iizuka hold a press conference in Washington on May 4, 2023, after meeting with U.S. government officials to secure their cooperation in resolving the decades-old issue. Yokota is a younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13, while Iizuka's mother Yaeko Taguchi was taken to North Korea in 1978.

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the cleaning of matcha props in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the brewing of matcha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates a bow to thank the serving of macha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the serving of matcha to the guest in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko stands at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the brewing of matcha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko sits in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the drinking of matcha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko shows a bow of finished matcha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

JAPAN-SAITAMA-TEA MASTER-MATCHA

(230611) -- SAITAMA, June 11, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tea Master Asami Yaeko demonstrates the brewing of matcha in the tea ceremony room at her home in Saitama, Japan, on June 10, 2023. Matcha is a tea drink originated in China. Kentoushi, or diplomats to China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), brought matcha back to Japan during the 9th century, where it became popular as time went by. Unlike regular teas, matcha needs to be ground before brewing and serving. Tea Master Asami Yaeko, who is near her 80, has been in touch with tea ceremony since childhood under the influence of her grandmother, and has been involved in tea for a lifetime. She demonstrated a tea ceremony with macha at her home in Saitama on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

  •  
Abductees' relatives in Washington

Abductees' relatives in Washington

Takuya Yokota (L), head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, and group member Koichiro Iizuka hold a press conference in Washington on May 4, 2023, after meeting with U.S. government officials to secure their cooperation in resolving the decades-old issue. Yokota is a younger brother of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977 aged 13, while Iizuka's mother Yaeko Taguchi was taken to North Korea in 1978.

  •  
N. Korea abductees' kin

N. Korea abductees' kin

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka, whose sister Yaeko Taguchi was abducted in 1978 aged 22, speaks at a special gathering of the family members of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea and their supporters, in Tokyo on June 22, 2014. The relatives called for priority to be placed on the return of survivors waiting for rescue, after North Korea agreed with Japan in May to reinvestigate the fate of the abductees.

  •  
Brother, sister pray for repose of father's soul in N. Korea

Brother, sister pray for repose of father's soul in N. Korea

HAMHUNG, North Korea - Yaeko Azeta (L) pounds on the ground while weeping and her brother Takashi Fukushima prays for the repose of their father's soul on Sept. 21, 2014, on a mountain in Hamhung, northeastern North Korea, where some 4,000 Japanese are believed to have been buried during and after World War II.

  •  
Brother of woman abducted to N. Korea

Brother of woman abducted to N. Korea

GENEVA, Switzerland - Shigeo Iizuka, the head of a group consisting of the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago, speaks at a session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 17, 2014. Iizuka's sister, Yaeko Taguchi, was abducted in 1978 at age 22.

  •  
Kin of N. Korea abduction victims meet Japan's FM

Kin of N. Korea abduction victims meet Japan's FM

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (L) hands a written statement to Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on March 4, 2014, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo on behalf of an international group seeking to resolve past abductions of Japanese and other foreign nationals by North Korea, including Iizuka's sister Yaeko Taguchi. (Pool photo)

  •  
Abductees' kin call for more pressure on N. Korea

Abductees' kin call for more pressure on N. Korea

KASUKABE, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka, representative of an association of the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea and brother of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, answers reporters' questions on Feb. 18, 2014, regarding a just-released U.N. commission report on human rights violations in the reclusive communist country.

  •  
Relatives of Japanese abductees head for Geneva

Relatives of Japanese abductees head for Geneva

NARITA, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (front), head of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, is seen at Narita airport, near Tokyo, on Nov. 7, 2012, before his departure for Geneva to attend events aimed at raising public awareness of abduction issues. His younger sister Yaeko Taguchi was abducted in 1978 at the age of 22.

  •  
Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka, son of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, gives a news conference in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, on July 21, 2010, after meeting with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner. Iizuka said Kim gave him encouragement in a written message regarding the return of his mother.

  •  
Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka, son of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, gives a news conference in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, on July 21, 2010, after meeting with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner. Iizuka said Kim gave him encouragement in a written message regarding the return of his mother.

  •  
Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

Abductee's relative meets with ex-N. Korean spy Kim

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka, son of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, holds a message written by Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner, after meeting with her on July 21, 2010, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Kim encouraged Iizuka in her message, writing that his mother will definitely return to Japan.

  •  
Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka, a brother of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, is seen in a car heading to a meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner, on July 20, 2010.

  •  
Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka, son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, is seen in a car heading to a meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, to meet with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner, on July 20, 2010.

  •  
Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka, son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, arrives at Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, to meet with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner, on July 20, 2010.

  •  
Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

Abductee's kin meet with ex-N. Korean jet bomber

KARUIZAWA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka (C), son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Shigeo Iizuka (back), her brother, are seen in a car heading to a meeting in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean spy convicted of the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air jetliner, on July 20, 2010.

  •  
Kin of abductees impressed with Obama's Tokyo speech

Kin of abductees impressed with Obama's Tokyo speech

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (C), who represents relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, flanked by Shigeru Yokota (R) and his wife Sakie, whose daughter Megumi was taken to North Korea in 1977 at age 13, speaks to reporters after U.S. President Barack Obama's speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo on Nov. 14, 2009. Iizuka, the brother of abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and the Yokotas praised the president's speech as delivering a strong, clear message toward settling the issue.

  •  
Hatoyama vows efforts to get back abduction victims

Hatoyama vows efforts to get back abduction victims

TOKYO, Japan - Sakie Yokota (R), the mother of Megumi Yokota who was abducted by North Korea, answers questions from reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama at his office in Tokyo on Sept. 29, 2009. At left is Shigeo Iizuka, brother of kidnap victim Yaeko Taguchi and head of the group of relatives of abduction victims.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui (R) speaks during a press conference at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11, with Koichiro Iizuka, the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, listening to her.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Koichiro Iizuka (L), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, shake hands with former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui as they meet at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui (L) holds the arm of Koichiro Iizuka (R), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi as they enter a news conference at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui (L) holds the arm of Koichiro Iizuka (R), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi as they enter a news conference at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Koichiro Iizuka (L), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, shake hands with former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui as they meet at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11. In the center is Taguchi's brother Shigeo Iizuka.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui (R), Koichiro Iizuka (C), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Taguchi's 70-year-old brother Shigeo Iizuka attend a joint news conference at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11 after their meeting there.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui enters the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11 to meet Koichiro Iizuka, the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Taguchi's 70-year-old brother Shigeo Iizuka.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Koichiro Iizuka (L), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, shake hands with former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui as they meet at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11. In the center is Taguchi's brother Shigeo Iizuka.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

Ex-N. Korean agent says Japanese abductee Taguchi still alive

BUSAN, South Korea - Koichiro Iizuka (C), the 32-year-old son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, embraces former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui as they meet at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan on March 11. On the left is Taguchi's brother Shigeo Iizuka.

  •  
Abductee kin arrives in Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

Abductee kin arrives in Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

BUSAN, South Korea - Koichiro Iizuka (C), son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, arrives in Busan with Taguchi's brother Shigeo Iizuka for a meeting March 11 with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent who is believed to have been taught Japanese by Taguchi.

  •  
Abductee kin arrive in Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

Abductee kin arrive in Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

BUSAN, South Korea - Shigeo Iizuka (L), a brother of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Taguchi's son Koichiro Iizuka (R in center) arrive in Busan, South Korea, for a meeting March 11 with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent who is believed to have been taught Japanese by Taguchi.

  •  
Abductee kin leave for Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

Abductee kin leave for Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

NARITA, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (L), a brother of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, and Taguchi's son Koichiro Iizuka (in back) prepare to leave Narita airport, east of Tokyo, on March 10 for Busan, South Korea, for a meeting March 11 with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent who is believed to have been taught Japanese by Taguchi.

  •  
Abductee kin leave for Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

Abductee kin leave for Busan for talks with ex-N. Korean agent

NARITA, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka (R), son of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi, looks at Shigeo Iizuka (2nd from L), a brother of Taguchi, during a news conference at a hotel in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, on March 10 before the two leave for Busan, South Korea, for a meeting March 11 with Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent who is believed to have been taught Japanese by Taguchi.

  •  
Ex-N. Korean agent, abductee's kin to meet in Busan: Nakasone

Ex-N. Korean agent, abductee's kin to meet in Busan: Nakasone

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone said at his ministry in Tokyo on March 9 that former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui and family members of Yaeko Taguchi, a Japanese woman abducted by North Korea, will meet March 11 in Busan, South Korea.

  •  
Abductee's son hoping to learn about mother in meeting ex-agent

Abductee's son hoping to learn about mother in meeting ex-agent

TOKYO, Japan - Koichi Iizuka, whose mother Yaeko Taguchi was abducted to North Korea in 1978, speaks during an interview with Kyodo News at a Tokyo hotel Feb. 19. Iizuka said he wants to find out what his mother was like when he meets Kim Hyon Hui, a former North Korean agent who is believed to have been taught Japanese by Taguchi, in South Korea probably by the end of this month.

  •  
Clinton tells families N. Korea abduction issue is U.S. priority

Clinton tells families N. Korea abduction issue is U.S. priority

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeru Yokota (C), his wife Sakie (L), key members of a group of relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, and Shigeo Iizuka, the group's chief, speak to reporters near the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo after meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Feb. 17. Holding photos of the Yokota's daughter, Megumi, and Iizuka's younger sister, Yaeko Taguchi, the three said that Clinton described the problem of North Korea's past abductions of Japanese nationals as a priority for the United States.

  •  
Ex-agent, abductee kin to meet soon: S. Korea foreign minister

Ex-agent, abductee kin to meet soon: S. Korea foreign minister

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui who arrived in Gimpo airport in South Korea in December 1987 after being arrested for her involvement in the fatal bombing of a South Korean airliner. South Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Yu Myung Hwan said Feb. 11 that Kim can soon meet with the relatives of Japanese woman Yaeko Taguchi, who is believed to have taught Japanese to Kim in North Korea after being abducted to the secretive country in 1978. North Korea said Taguchi already died but her family members say they do not believe it and have long called for information about her whereabouts.

  •  
Ex-agent, abductee kin to meet soon: S. Korea foreign minister

Ex-agent, abductee kin to meet soon: S. Korea foreign minister

SEOUL, South Korea - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui sent this photo to one of her acquaintances in October 2008 saying the woman in the photo is herself. Kim was sentenced to death over her involvement in the fatal bombing of a South Korean airliner in 1987 but later freed under a pardon. Kim is believed to have received Japanese language lessons in North Korea from Japanese woman Yaeko Taguchi, who was abducted to the country in 1978.

  •  
U.S. Ambassador Schieffer meets with abductees' kin

U.S. Ambassador Schieffer meets with abductees' kin

TOKYO, Japan - U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer (C) meets with relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea at the ambassador's official residence in Tokyo on Oct. 16. At left is Shigeru Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was abducted in 1977 aged 13, and at right is Shigeo Iizuka, the 70-year-old elder brother of abductee Yaeko Taguchi.

  •  
Iizuka named as new head of group of abductees' kin

Iizuka named as new head of group of abductees' kin

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (R), vice chairman of the group of relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, speaks at a news conference at a Tokyo hotel Nov. 24 after he was named as the group's new leader to replace Shigeru Yokota (2nd from R). Yokota's daughter Megumi was kidnapped by Pyongyang in 1977 when she was 13, while Iizuka is an elder brother of Yaeko Taguchi, who was taken to N. Korea in 1978 when she was 22.

  •  
Yokotas meet Thai foreign minister to discuss N. Korea abduction

Yokotas meet Thai foreign minister to discuss N. Korea abduction

TOKYO, Japan - Thai Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon (R) meets with Shigeru Yokota (2nd from R) and Sakie Yokota (2nd from L), parents of Japanese abductee Megumi Yokota, at a hotel in Tokyo on May 13. At left is Shigeo Iizuka, brother of Japanese abductee Yaeko Taguchi.

  •  
(2)Abductee's son writes letter to ex-N. Korean agent

(2)Abductee's son writes letter to ex-N. Korean agent

TOKYO, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka (R), whose mother Yaeko Taguchi was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and reported by Pyongyang to have died, meets the press in Tokyo on Feb. 23. He handed a senior Foreign Ministry official the same day a letter addressed to Kim Hyon Hui, a former N. Korean agent believed to have learned Japanese from the mother. Kim lives in South Korea.

  •  
(1)Abductee's son writes letter to ex-N. Korean agent

(1)Abductee's son writes letter to ex-N. Korean agent

TOKYO, Japan - Koichiro Iizuka (R), whose mother Yaeko Taguchi was abducted by North Korea in 1978 and reported by Pyongyang to have died, meets the press in Tokyo on Feb. 23. He handed a senior Foreign Ministry official the same day a letter addressed to Kim Hyon Hui, a former N. Korean agent believed to have learned Japanese from the mother. Kim lives in South Korea. At left is her brother, Shigeo Iizuka.

  • Main
  • Top
  • Editorial
  • Creative
  • About Us
  • About ILG
  • Terms of use
  • Company
  • BEHIND
  • Price List
  • Single Plan
  • Monthly Plan
  • Services
  • Shooting
  • Rights Clearance
  • Support
  • FAQ
  • How To Buy
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Partner

© KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

All Rights Reserved.

  • Editorial
  • Olympics
  • News
  • Sports
  • Japan
  • Tech
  • Royal
  • Disaster
  • NorthKorea
  • Old Japan
  • SNS
  • Creative
  • Food
  • Japan
  • Landscape
  • Animal
  • Popular
  • #Ukraine
  • #Thailand
  • #coronavirus
  • #N. Korea
  • #China
  • #Russia
  • #Ukraine
  • #Thailand
  • #coronavirus
  • #N. Korea
  • #China
  • #Russia
  • Food
  • Japan
  • Landscape
  • Animal
  • Olympics
  • News
  • Sports
  • Japan
  • Tech
  • Royal
  • Disaster
  • NorthKorea
  • Old Japan
  • SNS