Mother of Japanese abductee appeals for reunion via Tokyo station ads

By AJU PRESS Posted : August 19, 2024, 11:38 Updated : August 19, 2024, 11:38
A man with his hands tied behind his back Getty Images Bank
A man with his hands tied behind his back. Getty Images Bank
SEOUL, August 19 (AJU PRESS) - The mother of Megumi Yokota, a symbol of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea decades ago, has launched a public appeal for reunion through digital advertisements at major train stations in and around Tokyo, Kyodo News reported on Sunday.

The 15-second video, featuring a family photo and a message from 88-year-old Sakie Yokota, is being displayed at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Yokohama stations from Aug. 5 to Sept. 1. The campaign was organized by a support group of Yokota's neighbors.

"What I want to emphasize is my wish to confirm that (Megumi) is safe while I am still alive and to see her, even if just for a glance," Sakie said, according to the Asagao no Kai, the group supporting the Yokota family.

Megumi Yokota was 13 when she was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977. She is one of 17 Japanese citizens officially recognized by the government as having been abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Japanese government continues to seek the return of 12 abductees, including Megumi, who have not yet been repatriated. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is pursuing a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to address the issue, although progress has been limited.
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