Families Seek Early Return of Abductees from N. Korea

   Tokyo, May 19 (Jiji Press)--Family members of Japanese nationals who were abducted by North Korea decades ago called on Sunday for progress in bilateral negotiations to bring home their loved ones at an early date.
   At a convention in Tokyo, the family members said they are running out of time due to the aging of abduction victims' parents and urged the Japanese government to make good use of any opportunity to win the return of abductees.
   A cumulative total of about 13.41 million signatures collected across Japan in support of the families were shown at the gathering.
   More than 1,000 people attended the convention, but Shigeo Iizuka, 80-year-old leader of a group of abductee families were absent due to poor health.
   On his behalf, Takuya Yokota, 50-year-old secretary-general of the group and brother of abduction victim Megumi, said, "My father is in hospital and I feel keenly we're running out of time."

(2019/05/19-20:42)

To read a full story, please click here to find out how to subscribe.