Working toward early rescue of all Japanese abductees！

North Korean Human Rights Abuses AwarenessWeek Essay Contest 2019Awarded Essays
Winners

Hosted by the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, the Government of Japan.

Supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry ofJustice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
Junior High School Category 1st Prize
Thinking about Our Futures in the Light of the Abductions Issue
FUNATO Miho, 3rd grade, Gifu Municipal Nagara Junior High School
When I researched the issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens by North Korea, I wasshocked. Learning that YOKOTA Megumi in particular was abducted at the time she was a
junior high school student, as I am now, I felt that if I had been in Megumi's position I would
have been fearful, not knowing what would happen next, and full of anxiety, thinking that I
might never see my family and friends again. I also felt that Megumi's family and the familiesof the other abductees were suddenly robbed of precious happiness and left to live in despair.
Despite the sadness, Megumi's parents continue to campaign for her for many years,
believing that she is safe, and I understood why, even when North Korea reported that she
had died, they could not possibly accept those reports. It is obviously not acceptable to claim
simply that someone abducted for selfish reasons is now dead. Additionally, when I learned
that the returned remains, which were said to be Megumi's, were not actually hers, I felt
extremely angry. Human life was being treated far too lightly. If they thought how the familiesof the abductees must feel, they definitely would not be able to commit these acts that takepeople for fools.
However, not thinking seriously about human life, death or human rights is also somethingthat can be said of current junior high school students. In my school life, I frequently hearpeople using heartless or unpleasant words. People who use such words should understand
how what they say can hurt other people, and the true meaning of the words they are using,and think once again about how they are using them. I also think the people who hear otherpeople using such language should stop letting the matter slide without treating it seriously.
It is a problem that heartless words that hurt other people will be increasingly used without
thought if nobody calls them out. That is why I think that we all need more opportunities tothink about human rights.
For that reason, I have decided to start researching and raising awareness of human rights
violations including the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea. I believe that only
few junior high school students know well about the various human rights issues that occurredin the past. That is because some of these events occurred before we were born and we have
few opportunities to learn about them in the course of our daily lives. As such, I would like totell other junior high school students about the human rights issues that have occurred. If they
can have just a little interest in these issues, this might be an opportunity to study more about
those issues and to think about human rights of each person. Even right now, human rights
violations occur here and there, including discrimination against women and prejudice against
people with disabilities. However, if we, while we are junior high school students, can raise
our awareness of the importance of human rights, then we will not discriminate when we entersociety. I hope that we can create a future without discrimination and prejudice where we canmutually show respect for each other's human rights.

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
Junior High School Category 2nd Prize
For Freedom and Happiness for Everyone
SHIMAZAKI Yukino, 3rd grade, Sendai Municipal Itsutsubashi Junior High School
I learned about YOKOTA Megumi when I was in the fourth year of elementary school. I
remember that when I saw the image of a charming young girl in a kimono shown in a poster
hung up on our school bulletin board, it left such an impression on me that I asked my motherabout it. I recall her telling me "she was abducted, taken overseas, and still cannot not comehome". However, at that time, I was unable to imagine the tragedy the young girl and herfamily had been through or the deep feelings encapsulated in the phrase "we won’t stop until
we bring her back home", as written on the poster.
Recently, when I watched the animation "Megumi", I was extremely shocked to learn about
the unbelievable sequence of events that led to the abductions that so affected Megumi andher family. Abduction is a criminal act that tramples over human dignity. It must not beallowed to happen. What are they trying to achieve by taking away someone's freedom andhappiness? Don't the people who committed the abduction feel any guilt as the abduction isa serious crime? Megumi should have been able to choose her own future, dreams, family andfriendships, but all of them were all denied her when she was taken away to a land she did not
know. What went through her mind? How did she survive? How have the family spend overthe long years, after she was forced to leave behind? They must be feeling anger and sadness
on the loss of family members, and be struggling with the issue by making their emotions turninto the strong will, namely “We surely bring them back”. When I consider the feeling of thesefamilies who are confronting the issue in this way, I have started to feel a sense of
powerlessness for myself, who can do nothing. However, we must not allow such feelings ofpowerlessness to take over and turn our backs on the issue emotionally I realized that what I
could do is to deeply understand the abductions issue, maintain an interest in the issue as an
ongoing problem, and also empathize with the feelings of the victims and their families with
an imagination. These may be only small steps, but if people all across Japan feel the sameway, we should be able to create a force that can drive towards the resolution of this problem.
One scene of the animation, Megumi's mother Sakie was trying to raise awareness among
passers in a street, was impressive. "We do not hate or despise ordinary people living in North
Korea". The reason why she was able to say these words despite living with deep anger andsadness is that she understands the unreasonableness to be forced to suffer without any crimemore than anyone. Hearing Sakie's words, I realize that we must consider the people whoordered the abduction separately from the ordinary people of North Korea and that we should
not hate North Korea as a country. An abduction victim, HASUIKE Kaoru, also describes in
his book the struggles of ordinary North Korean people against the strict regime, hunger, andpoverty. Is it simply idealism to think that we should try to extend our empathy to people whoare living under different social systems and always try to understand each other throughdialogue rather than engage in conflict?
In the international community, we must go beyond differences of ethnicity, come together
and cooperate, and build true ties of friendship in order to respect the human rights ofeveryone. I want to believe that wishing for this will without doubt lead us towards theresolution of the abductions issue.

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
Junior High School Category 2nd Prize
What We Can Do to Address the Abductions Issue
YOKOMIZO Mashiho 3rd grade, Sendai Municipal Yoshinari Junior High School
How many people in Japan know about the "abductions issue"? Last year, in our morality
class, which was attended by all of the school's students, we watched the animation "Megumi".
This was the first time for me to pick up cards outlining the Convention on the Rights of theChild. The cards summarizes the international treaty developed for children to live each day
in peace.
YOKOTA Megumi was abducted by North Korea on the way home from school when she
was 13 years old. Her daily life ground to a halt and her bright future was suddenly taken away.
Watching the animation "Megumi", I could understand the fear and deep sadness Megumi
must have felt, and I felt pain in my heart.
Before I watch the animation, I knew a little about the abductions issue but after watching I
began wanting to know more. I felt that Megumi also had rights that should have beenprotected under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and I began to feel an increasingly
strong desire to see the abductions issue resolved as quickly as possible.
Later, I frequently saw the abductions issue covered on various television programs andnewspaper articles. A television program I saw in February of this year made a particularly
strong impression on me. Abductees and their families spoke directly with young people who
did not know about the abductions issue, in the program. "What would you do if one of yourfamily members suddenly disappeared?” The abductees and their families posed the questions
to the young people. Their various answers included "I would look for them", "I would call thepolice”, and “I would try to gather information over social media". I think I would do all threeof those things, if it were for a family member I love. I think these are obvious steps to takefor the happiness of your family. Happiness with a family is not a matter of course.
During the program, Megumi's mother Sakie also called for the resolution of the abductions
issue saying "I will continue fighting until my daughter comes home". Sakie's desperation
struck my heart. I understood the abductions are something that could've happened to anyone
and that it would be extremely painful were I to be in the position of the left-behind families.

In a local newspaper, I also read about the petition drives, donation campaigns, public
speaking events, and symposiums the abductees and their family members organized to try
and resolve the abductions issue. I realized that the majority of people participating in those
activities were senior citizens. I thought that as the abductions took place more than 40 years
ago perhaps many members of the younger generations do not know about the issue.
That is why I would like to spread more awareness of the issue among younger people toensure that it is not forgotten. I would therefore like to propose what we can do. Firstly, I wantto create wider awareness of the problem among younger people. What if we organize
numerous symposiums and events for younger people to discuss the resolution of theabductions issue? This will provide more opportunities to learn and take an interest. I also
think that we need to seek younger volunteers to help in the activities of abductees and theirfamily members.
My earnest wish is for the Japanese people to come together as one, raise our awareness of
the abductions issue, and find a solution that returns Megumi and the other abductees toJapan.

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
High School Category 1st PrizeTime to "Think and Act"NAGASAWA Pati Akitosh, 3rd grade, Yamagata Prefectural Yamagata Higashi High School
A photograph was published in the newspaper. It showed a wooden boat that drifted ashorein Yuza Town, Yamagata Prefecture. Inscribed on the boat, which was badly damaged, wasthe Korean script. The article explained that the boat had probably drifted from North Korea.
As, only a few months previously, I had watched the animation "Megumi", thought that theabductions issue is something that relates to me personally, and decided to enter the essay
competition for North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week, this was not an article
I could simply read through quickly. That is because, as I studied the abductions issue, I
learned that North Korean agents carried out the abductions using small boats and dinghies.
I even briefly wondered if it could be happening again.
"We have already reached the limits of our patience". "We really don't have any more time".
"We want to see them". These were the heartfelt cries for help we heard from the families of
the abductees in their video message. For more than 40 years since the abductions, anunforgivable act orchestrated by the government of North Korea, the lives of the abductees
and their families have been distorted. The blue Japan Sea has continually stood as an obstacle
to their lives, dreams and hopes of the abductees and their families. The abductions issue is acrime, an international human rights violation that cannot be solved by the passage of time.
As the abductees and their family members grow older, the abductees need to be home as
quickly as possible and there is no time to waste. Prime Minister Abe has said "I am
determined to meet Chairman Kim Jong-un myself face to face, without attaching any
conditions. Upon a calm analysis, we will not miss any opportunities to take bold action". The
Japanese government will continue dialog with North Korea with resolute determination.
Without doubt, our individual voices can support that effort.
Here is a survey of public opinion which has produced some interesting results. The survey
was aimed for grasp public opinion regarding diplomatic issues and was conducted in October,2018. For the question in the survey regarding interests connected to North Korea, the mostcommon answer was the abductions issue, selected by 81.4% of responses. However, when
we analyze the respondents by age group, we can see that the degree of interest was only
70.4% among those aged between 18 and 29, followed by the missile and nuclear weaponsissues. Young people have their opinions. Young people have their energy. To raise publicawareness of this issue, the active participation of us, the younger generations, who will carryJapan and the world's future, is indispensable. More important than anything is theopportunity in order to arouse awareness and take positive action. As a concrete plan, I
propose that the government organize a nationwide summit for junior high school and highschool students to think about the issue of abductions by North Korea. At the summit,
participants could watch the "Megumi" animation and hear messages from the abductees'
family members. Participants could also engage in vibrant discussions and debates, exploring
what they could do. Such an opportunity would not only lead to deeper understanding andperspectives on the abductions issue, it would also make a major contribution to theconstruction of a network of participants. The participants could then harness that network
to act as messengers in Japan's various regions, telling those around them about the issue andworking to widen the scope of awareness. Wider awareness can serve as an engine that helps
drive a solution to the issue.
As a Japanese citizen I will, until the abductees and their family members are able to joinhands once again, continue to actively and independently "think and act" on this issue.

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
High School Category 2nd Prize
Don't Just Wish, Take Action
YAMAGUCHI Rinka, 1st grade, Ehime Prefectural Imabari Kita High School"Mum!... Dad!..."In the dusty cargo hold of a boat is a young girl. The boat creates rough waves as it leaves
Japan. The girl's own will has been completely ignored.
It was 44 years ago that the girl, YOKOTA

Megumi, was abducted by North Korea.

Decades before I was born, Megumi was already outside Japan. For as long as I can remember,up until today, I have repeatedly seen press conferences with Megumi's parents. But despite
this, somewhere in my heart I felt that this is an issue that does not relate to me directly. I felt
it was an issue between countries. However, I realized this was a big mistake. After becoming
a high school student, I had another opportunity to think about the abductions issue when I
saw the animation "Megumi".
The animation showed an ordinary family. The Yokota family was full of love, living together
happily. However, ruthless abduction, which happened in an instant, changed the fates of
Megumi and all of those around her. I watched press conferences with Megumi's parents again
online. The strong calls for her return, her photos, their tears… I felt various different
emotions all at once. How many tears must Megumi's parents have cried? How much must
they have suffered? How long must it have taken them, despite everything, to stand back up
and move to take action, knowing that holding their heads up and going forward was the only
thing they could do? Megumi must also have felt the same pain. In fact, her pain must havebeen even worse. For the 17 abductees and their families, we will deepen our understandingof the current state of the abductions issue and should think about what we can do for them.
What can I do as a high school student? Firstly, I can encourage the people around me tounderstand the issue. Please go online and search for "Government internet television
animation Megumi". The animation will help you understand the tragedy of the abductions. I
expect that anyone who watches the animation will be moved by it and will not be able todismiss the abductions as something that does not concern them. On the website, it is also
possible to post opinions and comments. The second thing I can do is to post on social media
about this issue, like I did in this essay. By calling out to people around the world, I may beable to increase the number of people who will empathize and take action. The third thing I
can do is to donate. Do you know about the Blue Ribbon badge? This blue ribbon is available

for everyone at a price of 500 yen per piece. We can donate by paying for the ribbon. By
wearing the badge, we can represent our will for the resolution of the abduction issue. I haveattached it to my school bag. You see, there are many things we can do. You mustn't just say"I don't know about this" or "there is no opportunity to do anything". Take steps to get
involved in the problem. Nothing will happen if we just wait. We must all stand up together
as Japanese citizens. "I'm home".
This is a word, I want to hear from Megumi.

North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week Essay Contest 2019
High School Category 2nd Prize
Forgotten by the Passing TimeSEKIYAMA Haruto 2nd grade, Keiai Gakuen Senior High School
This year, I watched the animation "Megumi" once again. When I watched the animation
last year, I was forced to realize that I was ignorant about the North Korean abductions issue.
I still clearly remember how I felt anger at myself for living an easy life even though the victimsof the abductions were living with so much sadness and suffering. However, this time, I heldback those feelings so that I could truly think once again about what we and the government
need to do to resolve the abduction issue.
Before watching the animation "Megumi" last year, I simply had the extremely shallow,
superficial notion "how sad it is for the abductees". I feel that many other minors in Japan, as
well as adults, also have a very low awareness of the abductions issue. I think that we do not
only need to resolve the abductions issue, we also need to address the issue of this low level ofawareness. That is why I think that we need two respective policies for resolving this issue,
domestic one and one international one.
Firstly, in order to improve the awareness among us, we, Japanese, need to cover theabductions issue in our classes at school. For example, students can watch the animation"Megumi" in a class, so that students can be aware of the cruelty and suffering inflicted by the
abductions, and then students write honestly how they felt. We can also hold discussions inclass for students to share their opinions. This would allow us to gain a deeper understandingof the abductions issue and students, including myself, would be able to learn mutually fromeach other. In addition, I think that the government can call for cooperation with social
network services such as Twitter and video-sharing sites such as YouTube, for adults to foster
the exchange of opinions widely through society.
Secondly, in order to make this a multilateral issue rather than an issue that a smaller numberof countries involved, I think that Japan needs to take the initiative. Up until now, I think that
we have requested the cooperation of the United States in order to build cooperative systems
and moved towards the resolution of this issue, but my personal feeling is that this action is
not sufficient. That is why I think we should build cooperative relationships with all of the 12
countries that are victims of the abductions, including Thailand and France. If these countries
appealed to the international community, countries that were previously disinterested will

develop interests and cooperations.
What I'm most afraid of on this issue is that Japanese people will lose interest about theabduction issue and that as the abductees and their families grow older, they will be forgotten
by time. Now, as the era in Japan has changed from Heisei to Reiwa, I am convinced that if
we, the Japanese people, prevent awareness of the issue from fading, cooperate together withmany countries, and take the initiative, we will be able to find a solution to this issue.