Search｜Photos & Images & Videos｜KYODO NEWS IMAGES INC

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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)

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

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.

E

(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.

E

(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.

E

Abductees' kin leave for Geneva to attend U.N. session

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (L) and Sakie Yokota, whose family members were abducted to North Korea in late 1970s, leave Narita airport on April 20 to attend a meeting of the U.N. Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in Geneva to resolve the abduction issue. Iizuka's sister Yaeko Taguchi was lured by North Korean agents from Miyazaki Prefecture at the age of 22 in 1978, while Yokota's daughter Megumi was abducted from Niigata Prefecture in 1977 at the age of 13.

E

Kin of missing Japanese meet 5 abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (L) and Teruaki Masumoto (R) respond to questions from reporters Oct. 16 at a Tokyo hotel after meeting with the five Japanese abducted to North Korea and now in Japan for a temporary visit. Iizuka's sister Yaeko Taguchi and Masumoto's sister Rumiko Masumoto were abducted to N. Korea in 1978 and listed as among the dead abductees by Pyongyang.

E

(2)North Korea confirms eight persons dead

TOKYO, Japan - File photos show three persons who were taken to North Korea and were confirmed dead by North Korea on Sept. 17. (From L to R) Keiko Arimoto, Yaeko Taguchi (known to have used Korean name Ri Un Hye) and Tadaaki Hara.

E

Shigeo Iizuka, ex-head of N. Korea abductee kin group, dies at 83

File photo taken in July 2014 shows Shigeo Iizuka, head of a group representing families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, makes a speech in Sendai, northeastern Japan, holding a photo of his abducted younger sister Yaeko Taguchi. Iizuka died on Dec. 18, 2021, at the age of 83.

E

(CORRECTED)Ex-agent, abductee kin to meet soon: S. Korea foreign

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. (Kyodo)

E

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. (Kyodo)

E

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

TOKYO, Japan - Former North Korean agent Kim Hyon Hui (L) and Yaeko Taguchi (R), who is believed to have taught Japanese to Kim after she was abducted to North Korea in 1978. A meeting between Kim, now in South Korea, and Taguchi's relatives, including her son Koichi Iizuka, is expected to take place in the country later this month. (Kyodo)

E

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. (Kyodo)

E

Kin of missing Japanese meet 5 abductees

TOKYO, Japan - Shigeo Iizuka (L) and Teruaki Masumoto (R) respond to questions from reporters Oct. 16 at a Tokyo hotel after meeting with the five Japanese abducted to North Korea and now in Japan for a temporary visit. Iizuka's sister Yaeko Taguchi and Masumoto's sister Rumiko Masumoto were abducted to N. Korea in 1978 and listed as among the dead abductees by Pyongyang. (Kyodo)

E

Japanese abductees' kin speak following N. Korean rocket launch

Shigeo Iizuka, head of a group representing abductees' families, whose younger sister Yaeko Taguchi was abducted to North Korea at age 22 in 1978, speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Feb. 7, 2016, after Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket, a move widely viewed as a pretext for a ballistic missile test. Iizuka urged the government to persevere in resolving the abduction issue. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

E

Kin urge N. Korea to return abductees as soon as possible

(From L) Sakie Yokota and her husband Shigeru, whose daughter Megumi was abducted to North Korea in 1977 at the age of 13, and Shigeo Iizuka, head of the Japanese abductees' family group whose sister Yaeko Taguchi was taken in 1978, attend a press conference in Tokyo on Sept. 17, 2015. They called for the speedy return of all the Japanese abductees on the 13th anniversary of a bilateral summit meeting, in which then North Korean leader Kim Jong Il admitted to having taken those nationals and apologized for the first time. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo