Abductee Yokota Megumi's brother calls for public support | NHK WORLD

Abductee Yokota Megumi's brother calls for public support

The younger brother of Yokota Megumi, who was abducted by North Korea nearly 50 years ago when she was in her first year of junior high school, has appealed for public support to help bring her home as soon as possible.

October 15 marks 24 years since five Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea returned to Japan. But Megumi and 11 other abductees remain unaccounted for. They are among the 17 people recognized by the Japanese government as having been abducted by North Korea.

Yokota Takuya spoke at an event on Sunday in Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo.

Yokota said Megumi was as bright and cheerful as a sunflower when she was 13, but her abduction brought their happy family life to a sudden end.

He recalled hearing on the radio in 2002 that his sister was not among the five abductees returning to Japan. He said he was driving somewhere on business at the time but had to pull over because his eyes were filled with tears. He said he listened to the broadcast while crying alone.

Yokota said he wants people to understand the abductions represent the total deprivation of freedom and human rights. He stressed they are not simply a thing of the past, but an ongoing human rights violation.

He urged people to hear Megumi's silent cries for help and support efforts to bring all the remaining abductees home.

After his speech, Yokota noted there was a sense of overwhelming enthusiasm and support when the five victims returned to Japan in 2002. But he said more than 20 years on, he sometimes feels public interest is waning. He said he wants everyone to bear the issue in mind to urge the Japanese government to work all-out to negotiate with North Korea.