Abductions of Japanese Citizens
by North Korea
For Their Immediate Return!

Headquarters for the Abduction Issue, Government of Japan

For the Return of All of the Abductees!
The following is an outline of the cases related to the 17 abductees identified by the Government of Japan (GoJ)(information in brackets shows the age of each abductee when abduction took place and the location where theabductee went missing).
With the recognition that there are other cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot
be ruled out, the GoJ remains fully committed to demanding North Korea take action to ensure the safety of all
abductees and their immediate return to Japan regardless of whether they are officially identified as abductees.

1

September 19, 1977
Ushitsu Case

6

Mr. KUME Yutaka

July 7, 1978
Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
CoupleMr. CHIMURA Yasushi(52, Ishikawa Prefecture)
Disappeared off the coast of Ushitsu,
Ishikawa Prefecture. His whereabouts
are unconfirmed. (North Korea denies
he entered its territory.)(23, Fukui Prefecture)

Ms. CHIMURA Fukie(Maiden name HAMAMOTO)(23, Fukui Prefecture)2

Disappeared after going out stating thatthey were going on a date.
The couple returned to Japan in October
2002.

October 21, 1977
Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
Woman

Ms. MATSUMOTO Kyoko(29, Tottori Prefecture)
Disappeared on her way to a knitting
school close to her home. Her
whereabouts are unconfirmed. (North
Korea denies she entered its territory.)

3

7

November 15, 1977

Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
CoupleMr. HASUIKE Kaoru

Suspected Abduction Case Involving a Girl

(20, Niigata Prefecture)

Ms. YOKOTA Megumi

Ms. HASUIKE Yukiko(13, Niigata Prefecture)(Maiden name OKUDO)

Disappeared on her way homefrom school in Niigata city. Her
whereabouts are unconfirmed.
(North Korea claims she committed
suicide.)4

July 31, 1978

(22, Niigata Prefecture)
Mr. HASUIKE Kaoru disappeared after
he went out stating that he was goingout and would soon be back. Similarly,
Ms. OKUDO Yukiko disappeared after
going out.
The couple returned to Japan in October
2002.

In or around June 1978
Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
Former Restaurant Worker

Mr. TANAKA Minoru(28, Hyogo Prefecture)
Disappeared after departing Japanfor Europe. His whereabouts areunconfirmed. (North Korea denies heentered its territory.)

8

August 12, 1978
Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
CoupleMr. ICHIKAWA Shuichi(23, Kagoshima Prefecture)

Ms. MASUMOTO Rumiko

5

In or around June 1978
Suspected Abduction Case of Lee Un-Hae

Ms. TAGUCHI Yaeko(22, unknown)
Her whereabouts are unconf irmed.
(North Korea claims she died in a traffic
accident.)

2(24, Kagoshima Prefecture)
Disappeared after going out, statingthat they were going to see the sunset
on the beach. Their whereabouts areunconfirmed. (North Korea claims thateach of the couple died of a heart attack
while swimming in the ocean.)9August 12, 1978
Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
Mother and a Daughter

Ms. SOGA Hitomi

11 Mid-June 1980
Sin Kwang-Su Case

Mr. HARA Tadaaki(43, Miyazaki Prefecture)(19, Niigata Prefecture)

Ms. SOGA Miyoshi(46, Niigata Prefecture)
Disappeared after going out, statingthat they were going shopping. Ms.
SOGA Hitomi returned to Japan in
October 2002.
M s. MI YO S HI ' s w h e r e a b o u t s
a r e unconfirmed. (North Korea
denies she entered its territory.)

Disappeared in Miyazaki Prefecture.
His whereabouts are unconfirmed.
(North Korea claims he died of
cirrhosis of the liver.)12 In or around July 1983

Suspected Abduction Case Involving a
Japanese Woman in Europe

Ms. ARIMOTO Keiko(23, Europe)

10 In or around May 1980

Suspected Abduction Case Involving
Japanese Males in Europe

Mr. ISHIOKA Toru
(22, Europe)

Disappeared in Europe. Her whereabouts
are unconfirmed.
(North Korea claims that she died ina gas accident.)■ Locations where abductees disappeared

Mr. MATSUKI Kaoru(26, Europe)
Both disappeared during
their stay in Eur ope. Their
whereabout s are unc onf ir med.
(Nor th Korea c laims that Mr.
ISHIOK A has died in a gas
accident and that Mr. MATSUKI
died in a traf fic accident.)

North Korea claims the death of the abductees.
North Korea denies the abductees entered its territory.
Returned to Japan.

Sea of Japan

❶
❷

❸
❼

❻
❹

❽
The location where abduction❺ took place is unknown

Cases of Missing Persons in Which the Possibility of Abduction by North Korea Cannot be Ruled Out
With the recognition that, in addition to the 17 Japanese citizens already identified as having been abducted by North
Korea, there are other cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out, the GoJ has
been conducting information gathering and investigation activities both in Japan and overseas while maintaining close
cooperation among the relevant ministries and agencies in every possible effort to solve the matter.

Korean Domicile Victims Abducted in Japan (Suspected Abduction Case Involving an Elder Sister and Younger Brother)
The police have concluded that the case of disappearances in mid-June 1974 of young siblings, Ko Kyon-Mi and Ko
Kang, Korean domiciles, is a suspected abduction case committed by North Korea.
The GoJ views all abductions as serious human rights violations regardless of nationality as well as violations of thesovereignty of Japan. Accordingly, the GoJ urges North Korea to return the abductees to Japan as a return to their originalstate and also urges that North Korea obtain a full account of what happened to all abductees.

The GoJ has been making concerted efforts to demand North Korea to return all the abductees,
regardless of whether they are officially identified as such, back to Japan immediately.
3

Abductions of Japanese Citizens by North Korea

The authorities' investigations into missing Japanese citizens cases and the testimonies of defecting North
Korean agents have revealed several strongly suspected cases of abductions by North Korea. Therefore, since1991, the GoJ has raised the abductions issue at every possible opportunity. North Korea had stubbornly kept
denying any involvement. However, at the First Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting held in September 2002,
North Korea at last admitted for the first time that it had abducted Japanese citizens and apologized whilepromising to prevent any further recurrence. In October of the same year, five of the abductees returned from
North Korea to Japan after 24 years.
However, as for those others whose whereabouts are currently unknown, despite North Korea’s explicit
commitment at the Second Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting in May 2004 to immediately resume thoroughinvestigations to obtain a full account of what had happened to all abductees, North Korea has yet to provide any
convincing explanations. Furthermore, the GoJ has repeatedly requested the provision of relevant information on
cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out (Note 1), including so-called“unidentified missing Japanese probably related to North Korea” (Note 2). The remaining abductees are still denied
all freedoms, having been long detained in North Korea, and to this day await rescue from North Korea.
In Japan, there have been active campaigns to
rescue abductees, including the Association of the
Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea
formed in 1997, and the submission of petitions
signed by more than 17.22 million people (as ofJanuary 2024) to the Prime Minister of Japan.
The abductions by North Korea are a criticalissue concerning the sovereignty of Japan and thelives and safety of Japanese citizens. It is a highlypressing issue that must be resolved under the
responsibility of the GoJ. The GoJ has so far
identified 17 Japanese citizens, including the five

The Formation of the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by
North Korea

that have already returned to Japan, as victims of
abduction by North Korea. In addition, there are other cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea
cannot be ruled out, such as the suspected abductions of non-Japanese nationals referred to as “Korean
domiciles” (an alternative nationality for ethnic Koreans in Japan who do not hold Republic of Korea (ROK)
citizenship) in Japan and cases of so-called “unidentified missing Japanese probably related to North Korea”.
While North Korea has not provided any satisfactory account or any convincing evidence, the GoJ remains fullycommitted to demanding North Korea take action to ensure the safety of all abductees and their immediate returnto Japan regardless of whether they are officially identified as abductees, based on the premise that all abductees
whose fate is unknown are still alive. The GoJ also remains committed to pursuing the disclosure of the truth
regarding all abductions and demanding the surrender of the perpetrators of the abductions to Japan. The GoJ will,in accordance with the Japan-DPRK (the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) Pyongyang Declaration,
continue to make its utmost efforts to realize the normalization of its relations with North Korea, through realizing
the return of all abductees as soon as possible and settling the unfortunate past.
(Note 1) For missing persons cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out, the time of occurrence is even more extensive.
(Note 2) The term “unidentified missing Japanese probably related to North Korea” is used by the private citizens’ group, the Investigation Commission on
Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea, to refer to all missing Japanese it investigates.

4

Talks between Japan and North Korea on the Abductions Issue
1. First Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting (September 2002)
At the first Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting held on
September 17, 2002, Kim Jong-Il, then Chairman of the
National Defense Commission of North Korea, admitted,
after years of denial, that the abductions of Japanesecitizens took place and apologized. He also stated thatamong 13 persons who were suspected by the GoJ at thetime to have been abducted by North Korea, four were alive,
eight were dead and for one, entry into North Korea was notconfirmed (Note). In addition, he acknowledged theabduction of SOGA Hitomi, who wasn’t on the list for the

The First Japan-North Korea Summit Meetinginvestigation requested by the GoJ, and confirmed that she was alive. On the other hand, he claimed that as aresult of a subsequent investigation, SOGA Miyoshi, SOGA Hitomi’s mother who had disappeared at the sametime, had not entered North Korea. Moreover, while promising to punish those responsible and prevent any
recurrence, Kim assured that he would facilitate meetings between the abductees and their families as well as theirreturn to Japan.
In response, then Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro strongly protested to Kim Jong-Il, then Chairman of the
National Defense Commission, and demanded the continuation of an investigation, the return of those alive, andthe prevention of any recurrence.
(Note) North Korea confirmed that four abductees, CHIMURA Yasushi and Fukie and HASUIKE Kaoru and Yukiko,were still alive, where it reported that eight abductees, YOKOTA Megumi, TAGUCHI Yaeko, ICHIKAWA
Shuichi, MASUMOTO Rumiko, ISHIOKA Toru, MATSUKI Kaoru, HARA Tadaaki, and ARIMOTO Keiko, weredead, and that KUME Yutaka had never entered its borders. Note that the GoJ officially identified SOGA
Miyoshi in January 2003, TANAKA Minoru in April 2005, and MATSUMOTO Kyoko in November 2006 as
abductees.

2. Dispatch of the Investigation Team of the GoJ (September and October 2002)
From September 28 to October 1, 2002, the GoJ dispatched aninvestigation team that met with victims and strived to collect information
on abductees who have not yet been accounted for. Unfortunately, theinformation provided by North Korea was limited right from the start andinconsistent and dubious on many points. For example, North Korea
handed over materials it claimed were the remains of MATSUKI Kaoru,
but forensic analyses showed that these remains were those of someone
else. At the 12th round of the negotiations to normalize diplomatic
relations between Japan and North Korea held from October 29 to 30,
2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the GoJ posed 150 questions
concerning inconsistencies in the information provided by North Korea
and requested more information, but did not receive an adequate
response from North Korea.

The abductees returned to Japan after 24
years.
5

3. The Return of Five Abductees (October 2002)
On October 15, 2002, five abductees (CHIMURA Yasushi and Fukie, HASUIKE Kaoru and Yukiko, andSOGA Hitomi) returned to Japan and were finally reunited with their families.
With the consideration that the five abductees returned to Japan should be provided with an environment
in which they were free to determine their own future and the future of their families who were still in North
Korea, on October 24, 2002, the GoJ announced that the five abductees will remain in Japan. The
Government also strongly urged North Korea to ensure the safety of their family members still in North
Korea and to promptly set a date for their return to Japan.

4. Second Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting (May 2004)
On May 22, 2004, then Prime Minister Koizumi
visited North Korea for the second time and wasengaged in discussions with Kim Jong-Il, thenChairman of the National Defense Commission,concerning the abductions and other bilateralissues, as well as security issues such as North
Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Regarding
the abductions issue, the two leaders agreed to thefollowing points during their meeting:
The Second Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting
North Korea agrees to allow all five family membersof CHIMURA Yasushi and Fukie, and of HASUIKE
Kaoru and Yukiko to return to Japan on the day of
the Summit Meeting.
North Korea would promptly resume investigations from scratch in order to provide a full account of thetruth.
Based on this agreement, all five members of the families of CHIMURA Yasushi and Fukie and of
HASUIKE Kaoru and Yukiko returned to Japan with then Prime Minister Koizumi. Three family members of
SOGA Hitomi subsequently arrived in Japan on July 18, 2004.

5. Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations (August and September in Beijing; November in Pyongyang in 2004)(a)

The Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations were held in Beijing in August (1st round)and September (2nd round) 2004. North Korea presented the preliminary results of its ongoinginvestigations into the abductees whose whereabouts remain unknown, but no concrete evidenceor documentation to support the presented information was provided.

(b)

The third Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations took place in November of the same
year. They lasted for more than 50 hours and included a question-and-answer session with theInvestigation Committee of North Korea, along with direct interviews with a total of 16 alleged
witnesses and the onsite inspection of facilities and other locations related to the abductions.
Evidentiary materials such as the remains that North Korea claimed to be those of YOKOTA
Megumi were also collected.
Moreover, at these Consultations, Japan requested that North Korea provide relevant information
on five of the missing people whom the GoJ has not identified as abductees, but who might havebeen abducted by North Korea (“unidentified missing Japanese probably related to North Korea”).
The North Korean side, however, responded that their entry into North Korea was not confirmed.
(The GoJ repeatedly requests at consultations and during any other opportunity that North Korea
provides relevant information about cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea
cannot be ruled out.)

6

(c)

The GoJ immediately conducted a close examination of the information and physical evidence
presented by North Korea at the third Consultations, and concluded that there was no evidence
to support the explanation given by the North Korean side that “eight had died and two were notconfirmed to have entered North Korea” (Note). Moreover, the information and physical evidence
provided to date so far has brought up numerous questions, and DNA testing on the remains
claimed to be those of YOKOTA Megumi resulted in detecting DNA belonging to someone else. The
GoJ addressed these inconsistencies and firmly protested to North Korea.
Note: The “two not confirmed to have entered North Korea” refers to KUME Yutaka and SOGA Miyoshi.

6. Japan-North Korea Comprehensive Talks (February 2006: Beijing)
The consultation on the abductions issue at the Japan-North Korea Comprehensive Talks held in
February 2006 extended for a total of approximately 11 hours, and Japan once again resolutely demanded
the return to Japan of the surviving abductees, the launch of a new investigation aimed at revealing thetruth about what had happened, and extraditing those responsible for the abductions. In response, North
Korea repeated the same explanation it had previously given that “all of the abductees who are still alive
have already returned to Japan.” Regarding the search for the truth, Pyongyang did not vow to continue
investigations into the abductees whose whereabouts are unknown and refused to extradite those
responsible.

7. Working Group on the Normalization of Japan-North Korea Relations (March 2007 in Hanoi: September
2007 in Ulaanbaatar)

The first meeting of the Working Group on the Normalization of Japan-North Korea Relations, which
was established at the Six-Party Talks in February 2007, was held in March of the same year. The GoJ
reiterated its demands for the securing of the safety of all abductees and their families and their swift
return, a full account of the truth in all abduction cases, and the extradition of those responsible. North
Korea, however, failed to show good faith towards the resolution of the abductions issue by again repeating
its position that “the abductions issue has already been resolved.” Neither was there substantial progressachieved on the abductions issue at the second meeting of the Working Group held in September.

8. Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations (June 2008 in Beijing, August 2008 in Shenyang)(a)

At the Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations in June 2008, Japan urged North Korea to takespecific actions towards the resolution of outstanding issues of concern, including the abductions, by
explaining that Japan would be ready to partially lift sanctions against North Korea if North Korea takes
such actions. Japan also once again insisted that all abductees should be returned, a full accountshould be provided, and suspects should be handed over. Consequently, North Korea changed its
existing position that “the abductions issue has already been resolved” and promised to reinvestigate
the abductions issues in order to take concrete actions towards the resolution of the issue.

(b)

At the Working-Level Consultations in August of that year, the two parties held candid discussions
about the actions agreed upon at the Consultations in June, focused on how the reinvestigation of
the abductions issue should be conducted by North Korea. As a result, both parties agreed that North
Korea should create an authorized investigation committee and start full-scale investigations on all
abductees in order to find and return them. Japan for its part announced that the government was
prepared to remove sanctions on travel and chartered flights to and from North Korea as soon as
North Korea launched their investigations.

(c)Nevertheless, on September 4, 2008, North Korea notified Japan that, although they would
still maintain the position of implementing the measures agreed upon during the Working-Level
Consultations, they would postpone the launch of their investigations until they examine how the new
GoJ would act in regards to the agreement after its sudden change of the administration (i.e., theresignation of then Prime Minister Fukuda).

7

9. Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (November 2012 in Ulaanbaatar)
In November 2012, the Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations, which were thefirst consultations with North Korea in four years, were held. At the meeting, the two parties
held in-depth discussions on the abductions issue and came to an agreement to continue
deliberations in the future for further review in consideration of past progress and for discussion
on individual points of view. In addition, the Japanese side brought up for discussion to North
Korea the cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be dismissed.
The second Consultations were scheduled for December 5 and 6, but Japan had no choice but topostpone the meeting due to North Korea announced a missile launch on December 1.

10. Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (March 2014 in Beijing)
On March 3, 19 and 20, 2014, Japanese and North Korean officials held informal talks (director
level) on the sidelines of meetings between the Japanese and North Korean Red Cross Societies
in Shenyang, China for the first time in a year and four months. It was decided that they would
coordinate to resume official talks.
Subsequently, official talks between Japan and North Korea were held in Beijing, China, on March
30 and 31. Wide-ranging exchanges of views concerning issues of interest of either side took place
in a sincere and candid manner, and it was concurred to continue the consultations. In regard to theabductions issue, Japan raised its basic view based on the discussions in the consultations until then.

11. Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (May 2014 in Stockholm)
In May 2014, Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations were held in Stockholm,
Sweden. North Korea promised to conduct comprehensive and full-scale investigation on all
Japanese nationals, including abductees (the Stockholm Agreement). Japan, in response, decided
that it would lift part of its autonomous measures against North Korea at the point of time when
North Korea establishes the Special Investigation Committee for the investigations and starts theinvestigations.

12.Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental
On July 1, 2014, Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations were held in Beijing, China.
North Korea explained the organization, structure, and key members of the Special Investigation
Committee. Japan asked questions focused on whether the committee is authorized to investigate
all relevant organizations.
On July 4, North Korea, through its “state” media,
announced the beginning of the investigations on
all Japanese nationals including the abductees.
It publicly announced in North Korea and abroad,the authority, structure, and investigation methodsof the Special Investigation Committee that wereconsistent with the understanding of the Japaneseside. At the same time, Japan lifted restrictions on
visits of persons, special measures of restriction
on North Korea regarding the amount of money
Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations(July 2014)
requiring notification of the export of means of
payments and report on the money transfer, and the embargo on the entry of North Korea flagged
ships with humanitarian purpose into Japanese ports.

813. Japan-North Korea Diplomatic Authorities Meeting (September 2014 in Shenyang)
On September 29, 2014, a meeting between Japan-North Korea diplomatic authorities was held in
Shenyang, China, for North Korea’s explanation on the current status of the investigations. North Korea
said that it was not able to provide specific results on individual cases at this stage, but explained that,
if a Japanese delegation visits Pyongyang and meet with the members of the Special Investigation
Committee, they could hear a clearer explanation of the current status of the investigations.

14. Consultations with the Special Investigation Committee (October 2014 in Pyongyang)
In October 2014, Consultations with the Special Investigation Committee were held in Pyongyang,
North Korea. Japan reiterated that the resolution of the abductions issue is the most important forJapan, ensuring security of all abductees and their immediate return to Japan, providing full accountof the truth in all abduction cases and the extradition of perpetrators who conducted the abductions
are indispensable, and Japan seeks to find out the whereabouts of abductees, whether or notofficially identified as such by the Government, and to have them back safely to Japan as soon as
possible. Japan also strongly urged North Korea to expeditiously conduct its investigations and report
the results sincerely and swiftly to Japan.
North Korea provided an explanation of the organization such as the structure of the committee
and its branches. It also explained its policy to conduct objective and scientific investigations witha focus on witnesses and physical evidence and to thoroughly deepen the investigations from new
angles, regardless of the past investigation results. It also explained that the Committee is invested
with special authority by the National Defense Commission, the highest guiding body of North Korea,
to conduct a thorough investigation of all organizations, including special agencies. Regarding theabductions issue, North Korea said that it was investigating the specific cases, including whether or
not abductees entered North Korea, their living circumstances and the details of how each case took
place, and that a new investigation into related places including guest houses where the abductees
had stayed was being carried out while looking for new physical evidence and witnesses.

15. Unilateral Announcement by North Korea of Dissolution of the Special Investigation Committee(February 2016)

In response to North Korea’s January 2016 nuclear test and the launching of a ballistic missile
purported to be a “man-made satellite” in February, that same month Japan announced it would
implement autonomous measures against North Korea. In turn, North Korea unilaterally announced
that it would completely cease comprehensive investigations concerning any and all Japanese persons,
including abductees, and dissolve the Special Investigation Committee. Japan firmly protested theseactions by North Korea and conveyed its position that it would not abandon the Stockholm Agreement.
Japan also demanded that North Korea return abductees as soon as possible based on the Agreement.

16. Subsequent Developments
Japan has repeatedly conveyed its basic position to North Korea since then. For example, atthe reception of the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games hosted bythen President Moon Jae-In of the ROK in February 2018, then Prime Minister Abe brought up the
abductions, nuclear and missile issues, and conveyed Japan’s basic position to Kim Yong-Nam,then President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea. In particular,then Prime Minister Abe strongly urged North Korea to resolve the abductions issue, including thereturn of all abductees to Japan. In addition, based on the request from then Prime Minister Abe,then President Trump of the United States raised the abductions issue directly with Kim Jong-Un,
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, at the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meetings held in June2018 and February 2019 (details to follow).

9Efforts in the International Community

In order to resolve the abductions issue, it is essential for
Japan not only to proactively urge North Korea, but also togain support and cooperation from other countries regarding
the importance of resolving the abductions issue. Therefore,
the GoJ has raised the issue at every diplomatic opportunity.
It is known that there are also many ROK people who
were abducted by North Korea. Testimony from returnedJapanese abductees and others has further revealed that
there are people from Thailand, Romania, and Lebanon who
may have been abducted by North Korea. It has also beensaid, according to the testimony from abductees of the ROK
who have returned from North Korea and from others, that
Chinese and other nationals have also been abducted.
As detailed above, abduction by North Korea constitutes
a universal issue among the international community as a
violation of fundamental human rights.

1. United Nations

10

(a)

In the United Nations, the Resolutions on the
Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK, which
include reference to the abductions issue, havebeen adopted at the Human Rights Council 16
times for 16 consecutive years and at the General
Assembly 19 times for 19 consecutive years (as ofJanuary 2024). The resolution adopted by the UN
General Assembly in December 2023 stresses again
with grave concern the urgency and importance of
the issue of international abductions which involves
a serious violation of human rights, and of theimmediate return of all abductees, as they and theirfamily members age, expresses grave concern at
the long years of severe suffering experienced by
abductees and their families, and the lack of any
Prime Minister Kishida during his speech at the General
Debate Session in the UN General Assembly
concrete or positive action by North Korea, notably(September 2023)
since the investigations on all the Japanese nationals
commenced on the basis of the government-level
consultations held between Japan and North Korea in May 2014 and the identical and non-substantive
replies by North Korea to the numerous communications transmitted by the Working Group on Enforced
or Involuntary Disappearances, and strongly demands again that North Korea sincerely listen to thevoices of the victims and their families to address all allegations of enforced disappearances, clarify thefate and whereabouts of disappeared persons and faithfully provide accurate, detailed and full information
promptly to the families of the victims and resolve immediately all issues relating to all abductees, inparticular the realization of the immediate return of all abductees of Japan and the ROK.

(b)

At the Human Rights Council in March 2013, the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the
DPRK that includes the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) was adopted by consensus(without voting). The COI has investigated the human rights situation in North Korea including theabductions issue through their visits to Japan, the ROK, the U.S., the United Kingdom and Thailand, andhas released their final report (COI report) in February 2014.

(c)In December 2014, the UN Security Council (UNSC) discussed the situation in North Korea
comprehensively, including the human rights situation. Since then, the UNSC has held several meetings
on “the situation in the DPRK.” Japan has urged the resolution of the North Korean abductions issue assoon as possible at these meetings. In December 2022, an informal consultation on the human rights
situation in North Korea was held in the UNSC, and afterwards, like-minded countries including Japanissued a joint statement, which includes a sentence strongly urging the resolution of the abductions issue,
and the immediate return of the abductees.
In August 2023, a public meeting was held in
the UNSC to discuss human rights situation in
North Korea, including the abductions issue,
for the first time in about six years since2017. After the meeting, 52 Member Statesand others including several UNSC Members
participated in the joint media stakeout by
like-minded countries. They called on all
UN Member States to hold North Korea
accountable for its human rights violations,while addressing the abductions issue.

(d)(June 2023)
In addition, the GoJ has sought to disseminate
Speakers of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped
information and strengthen coordination
by North Korea and the Family Association of the Missing Persons
with the international community, including
Probably Related to the DPRK at the symposium. (middle row, right)
hosting international symposiums at the UN
Headquarters and other locations. In June 2023, an online symposium in the UN on the abductions issue
was held as a side event of the UN, co-hosted by the governments of Japan, the U.S., Australia, theRepublic of Korea, and the delegation of the European Union. In the symposium, the voices of parties
concerned, including the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea, and the Family
Association of the Missing Persons Probably Related to the DPRK, were conveyed to the international
community, and a panel discussion was held by a former Ambassador to North Korea of the UK andformer Ambassador of international cooperation on North Korean human rights of the Republic of Korea.
In this way, the symposium called for the understanding and cooperation of the international community

The online symposium in the UN on the abductions issue

towards the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.

2. Six-Party Talks
Japan has raised the abductions issue at the SixParty Talks. In fact, taking steps to normalize relations
between Japan and North Korea, on the basis of
the settlement of the abductions issues and otheroutstanding issues of concern, was set as one of
the goals in the September 2005 Joint Statement of
the Six-Party Talks. Based on this goal, during the
Six-Party Talks held in February 2007, the decision
for the establishment of a Working Group for the“Normalization of DPRK-Japan Relations” wasincorporated in an outcome document. At the SixParty Talks held in October 2007, it was reaffirmed
in another outcome document that “the DPRK and
Six-Party Talks (September 2007)
Japan will make a sincere effort to normalize relations
expeditiously in accordance with the Pyongyang Declaration, on the basis of the settlement of ‘the unfortunate
past’ and the outstanding issues of concern,” and that “the DPRK and Japan have committed themselves to taking
specific actions towards this end through intensive consultations between them.” The abductions issue is no doubt
included in the “outstanding issues of concern.”

113. Multilateral Frameworks
The GoJ has raised the abductions issue in multilateral frameworks, including the G7 summit,
the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. Summit Meetings and the ASEAN-related Summit Meetings, andthe importance of resolving the abductions issue and efforts the GoJ has been making towards
this end have gained the clear
understanding and support of othernations.
At the G7 Hiroshima Summit in May
2023, the G7 leaders reaffirmed that theywould continue to closely work together
in responding to issues related to North
Korea, including the abductions issue,
and also stated in the Leaders'Communiqué that the G7 would call for
an immediate resolution of the abductions
issue.
G7 Hiroshima Summit (May 2023)
At the Japan-Australia-India-U.S.(Quad)
Leaders’ Meeting, held on the occasion of
the G7 Hiroshima Summit, Prime Minister Kishida also asked for the understanding andcooperation of each country toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and gained
their support. In Quad leaders’ Joint Statement, it is stated that the four leaders urged North Korea
to resolve the abductions issue immediately.
At the Japan-U.S.-ROK Summit held in August 2023 at Camp David in the United States, theleaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.
At the ASEAN Japan Summit held in September 2023, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued
understanding and cooperation of each country toward the immediate resolution of the abductions
issue through a series of meetings and other means, and a reference to an immediate resolutionof the abductions issue was included in the Chairman's Statement. At the Commemorative Summit
for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in December 2023, Prime Minister
Kishida also asked for understanding and cooperation from all countries toward an immediate
resolution of the abductions issue through a series of meetings.

 

12

4. Bilateral Consultations
The GoJ has addressed the abductions
issue at bilateral summit talks and foreign
ministerial meetings with countries such as
the United States, the ROK and China, whooffer their understanding and support for the
position of Japan.
For example, with regard to the UnitedStates, based on a request from then Prime
Minister Abe, then President Trump took
up the abductions issue with Kim Jong-Un,
Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, at
the first U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting in
Meeting between President Biden and the family members of the abductees
June 2018. In addition, at the second U.S.(May 2022)
North Korea Summit Meeting in February
2019, then President Trump raised theabductions issue with Chairman Kim Jong-Un
during the first tête-à-tête meeting held on the first day, and clearly conveyed then Prime Minister Abe’s views
regarding the abductions issue to the Chairman. At the small group dinner that followed, then President
Trump once again raised the abductions issue, and a serious discussion took place between the leaders.
After assuming office in September 2021, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued understanding andcooperation towards the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, to which President Biden offered
his support at the Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk in October Subsequently, at the Japan-US Summit
Meeting in January, May, October, November 2022, January and May 2023, Prime Minister Kishida asked
for the continued understanding and cooperation of the United States for the immediate resolution of theabductions issue, and again gained full support from President Biden. Furthermore, in the Japan-U.S. Joint
Statement issued on the occasion of the January 2023 Summit Meeting, President Biden reaffirmed the U.S.
commitment to the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. Furthermore, during his visit to Japan in
May 2022, President Biden met with the family members of the abductees in the presence of Prime Minister
Kishida, and listened carefully and earnestly to the families’ sentiment and their requests for U.S. support
in resolving the abductions issue as soon as possible. At the joint press conference following the Japan-U.
S.-ROK Summit in August 2023, President Biden mentioned his meeting with the family members of theabductees and expressed his determination to work together to see the return of all the abductees.
As for the ROK, Prime Minister Kishida asked for continued understanding and cooperation in resolving
the abductions issue at the Japan-ROK Summit in March, September, October and November 2022, Marchand May 2023, and again gained support from President Yun Suk-yeol. The two countries also concurredthat they would work with each other in dealing with North Korea, including the abductions issue, at theJapan-ROK Summit in July and November 2023.
Regarding China, at the Japan-China Summit Meeting in June 2019, President Xi Jinping stated
that, during China-North Korea Summit held in June, he conveyed to Chairman Kim Jong-Un Japan's
position on Japan-North Korea relations and Prime Minister Abe's views also gained the strong supportof President Xi for improvement of Japan-North Korea relations, including the abductions issue. At theJapan-China Summit Meeting on November 16, 2023 the two leaders also discussed the international
affaires, such as North Korea, including the abductions issue, and confirmed that they would maintainclose communication on those issues.

In the U.S. Congress, a draft resolution, which urged the U.S. Government to coordinate investigations
with the governments of Japan, China, and the ROK on a U.S. citizen possibly abducted by North
Korea, was approved and passed in the regular session of the House of Representatives in
September 2016. In addition, an identical draft resolution was approved and passed in the regularsession of the Senate in November 2018.

13

Steps Taken in Japan
1. Establishment of the “Headquarters for the Abduction Issue”
In January 2013, the GoJ established a new“Headquarters for the Abduction Issue” consisting of
all Ministers of State, in order to discuss measures toaddress the abductions issue and to promote strategic
approaches and comprehensive measures for the
resolution of this issue. The Headquarters is led by thePrime Minister serving as the head, and the Ministerin Charge of the Abduction Issue, the Chief Cabinet
Secretary, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs serve as
the deputies. Individual Ministers closely collaborate withThe First Meeting of the Headquarters for the Abduction
Issue (January 2013)

mainly the head and deputies and exert themselves tothe utmost of their ability in their respective fields of responsibility towards the goal of resolving theabductions issue.
Moreover, the “Liaison Council of Government and Ruling and Opposition Parties Institutions for
Measures against Abduction Issue” has been formed to strengthen bipartisan efforts towards theresolution of the abductions issue.

 
Prime Minister



The Minister in Charge of the Abduction Issue, the Chief Cabinet
Secretary, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs  All other Ministers of State   ­                           
       

      14     ­          

Policies and Concrete Measures for Resolving the Abduction Issue
１．Policies
The abductions by North Korea are a critical issue concerning the sovereignty of Japan andthe lives and safety of Japanese citizens. It is a highly pressing issue that must be resolved
under the responsibility of the government. The government will firmly maintain its basic
policy that the normalization of diplomatic relations with North Korea will not occur unless the
abductions issue is resolved, and remains fully committed to demanding North Korea takeaction to ensure the safety of all abductees and their immediate return to Japan regardless ofwhether they are officially identified as abductees. The government also remains committed topursuing the disclosure of the truth regarding all abduction cases and demanding the surrenderof the perpetrators of the abductions to Japan.
２．Concrete measures
With the initiative of the head and the deputies of the Headquarters, all Cabinet ministers
should cooperate in implementing the above-mentioned policy, and should make their utmost
efforts in the following eight points within their respective areas of responsibility.
1. to discuss further countermeasures and promote strict law enforcement under the current
legal framework to urge North Korea to speedily resolve the abduction issue;
2. to take every opportunity, including the Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Talks, tostrongly demand that North Korea takes concrete action to resolve the abduction issue;
3. to strengthen the collection, analysis, and management of information on abductees andthe situation in North Korea;
4. to strengthen the investigation and examination of cases in which the possibility of
abduction cannot be ruled out, and to continue investigating the individuals responsible
for abductions domestically and internationally;
5. to reaffirm our determination not to let the abduction issue be fade away, and to makefurther efforts to raise public awareness on this issue through various domestic andinternational means, including education in schools;
6. to further enhance international cooperation by strengthening ties with the United States,
ROK, and other relevant countries and by having discussions at UN meetings and othermultilateral talks;
7. to take conscientious measures with regard to the family members of abductees, offer
ongoing support for returned abductees, and carefully prepare for the future return ofabductees; and8. to discuss all other measures which can contribute to the resolution of the abduction
issue.
([Policies and Concrete Measures for Resolving the Abduction Issue] Set by the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue on January 25, 2013)

Meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Family Members of the Abductees(October 2021)

15

2. Investigations by the GoJ
The GoJ, with the continuous cooperation from the returned abductees, has been thoroughly investigating the casesof abduction by North Korea as well as the cases of disappearances in which the possibility of abduction by North
Korea cannot be ruled out. As a result of such investigations, the GoJ has so far identified 12 separate incidents
involving a total of 17 Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.
The National Police Agency of Japan determined that a case in which an elder sister and younger brother of Korean
domicile were abducted from Japan (two abductees) is also a suspected abduction case committed by North Korea. It
has issued domestic arrest warrants for 11 suspects including North Korean agents, who were involved in abduction
cases, and then also issued for them international arrest warrants.
Furthermore, regarding the investigations into the disappearances in which the possibility of abduction by North
Korea cannot be ruled out, Japanese authorities have been striving to reveal the truth behind these cases byreinforcing their efforts, including 1) the installation of a Special Supervision Team in the Foreign Affairs Division of the
National Police Agency in March 2013 to conduct supervision and coordination between prefectural police
departments, 2) the collection of physical evidence from family members for DNA testing, and 3) the posting of
information on the websites of the National Police Agency and prefectural police departments, including a list of thepeople who are involved in the cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out in theirdisappearances. In addition, by enhancing their partnership, the Police and Japan Coast Guard have been collectively
reinvestigating cases that were originally handled as marine accidents.

■ Interpol Notice Suspects Connected with Suspected Abduction Incidents
Suspected Abduction
Case Involving Two
Siblings

Ushitsu Case

Suspected Abduction
Case Involving a Couple(in Fukui)

KINOSHITA Yoko
a.k.a. Hong Su-Hye

Kim Se-Ho

Sin Kwang-Su(Commonly Known as)
Choi Sun-Chol(Commonly Known as)
Han Geum-Nyeong(Commonly Known as)
Kim Nam-Jin

Date Interpol
Notice Issued

April 2007

January 2003

March 2006

March 2006

February 2007

February 2007

Case Name

Suspected Abduction
Case Involving a Motherand Daughter

Case Name

Suspected Abduction Case Involving a Couple (in Niigata)

Suspect

Suspected Abduction Case Involving Japanese Malesin Europe

Sin Kwang-Su Case

Suspected Abduction
Case Involving a Japanese
Woman in Europe(Commonly Known as)
Kim Myong-Suk

MORI Yoriko

WAKABAYASHI Sakiko(Maiden name: Kuroda)

Sin Kwang-Su

Kim Kil-Uk

UOMOTO Kimihiro (Former
Family name: ABE)

November 2006

July 2007

July 2007

April 2006

April 2006

October 2002

Suspect

Date Interpol
Notice Issued

3. Efforts to deal with cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out
With the recognition that, in addition to Japanese citizens already identified as having been abducted by North
Korea pursuant to Article 2 of the Act on Support for Victims Abducted by North Korea (hereinafter referred to as the“Support Act”), there are other cases in which the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out, the GoJ
has been conducting information gathering and investigation activities both in Japan and overseas while maintaining
close cooperation among the relevant ministries, and agencies in every possible effort to solve the matter. As a resultof that, when the GoJ confirmed that further abductions were committed by North Korea, the abductees will bepromptly identified as victims as stipulated in the Support Act.
The GoJ has repeatedly demanded that North Korea ensure the safety and immediate return of all abductees, notonly those who have been identified so far.

16

(Note) Act on Support for Victims Abducted by North Korea (Extract)(Definitions)
Article 2: In this Act, the meanings of the terms listed in the following items are as prescribed respectively in those items (i) “Victim” means a person identified by the Prime Minister as aJapanese citizen abducted by North Korea. (ii) to (vii) (…)
2. When the Prime Minister intends to make an identification set forth in item (i) of the preceding paragraph, he/she shall consult with the heads of the relevant administrative organs inadvance.

     
 ­

4. Major Activities to Publicize and Promote the Understanding of the Abductions Issue
The Law to Address the Abductions Issue and Other North Korean Human Rights Violations was promulgated andcame into effect in June 2006 with the purpose of increasing awareness among Japanese nationals of the abductions
issue and other human rights violations committed by North Korean authorities. In cooperation with the international
community, the law also aims to elicit a full account of the situation surrounding the abductions issue and to prevent
abductions from happening again in the future. In addition to laying out the responsibilities of the GoJ in resolving theabductions issue, this law holds national and local
governments responsible for raising awareness of theissue and to this end establishes North Korean Human
Rights Abuses Awareness Week (December 10 – 16),
which calls on national and local governments to holdeducational events on the topic during this week.
The GoJ also distributes pamphlets and posters,
screens movies and cartoons which raise awarenessabout the abductions issue, dispatches personnel forworkshops and other educational events, hosts essay
contests for junior high and high school students, holds
training for teachers, university students aspiring tobecome teachers and others, broadcasts radio
programs (in Japanese and Korean) to North Korea and holds arts performances aimed at raising awareness of 
the issue, etc. In August 2023, the “Junior High School
Summit on Abductions by North Korea” was held, where
junior high school students nominated by prefectural andgovernment-designated city boards of education fromacross Japan gathered in Tokyo to learn about anddiscuss the abductions issue.
Furthermore, every year in December, during North
Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week, many
conferences and symposiums etc. are held bygovernments and NGOs to advocate the resolution of
the abductions issue both inside and outside of Japan.
In particular, the GoJ has been working to raiseawareness of the abductions issue through symposiums
hosted by the GoJ and other opportunities to hear the“real voices” of those concerned, including members of
the Association of the Families of Victims kidnapped by
North Korea and the Family Association of the Missing
Posters distributed nationwide
Persons Probably Related to the DPRK.

17

5. Actions against North Korea
On July 5, 2006, North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles. Since then, despite repeated warnings
from the international community, Pyongyang again launched ballistic missiles in April 2009, April 2012and December 2012. It also carried out nuclear tests in October 2006, May 2009 and February 2013. In
addition, in March 2010, North Korea launched a torpedo attack on an ROK naval vessel. In response, theGoJ protested firmly, expressing strong condemnation of these North Korean actions, and imposed aseries of measures against North Korea. In addition to the sanction measures set out in the UNSC
resolutions, Japan requested its own citizens to refrain from traveling to North Korea, banned the entry ofNorth Korean nationals into Japan as well as of North Korean flagged ships and ships that have madeport calls in North Korea into Japanese ports and also, prohibited export and import with North Korea.
Based on what was agreed in May 2014, that July Japan lifted restrictions on visits of persons, special
measures of restriction on North Korea regarding the amount of money requiring notification of the exportof means of payments and report on the money transfer, and the embargo on the entry of North Korea
flagged ships with humanitarian purpose into Japanese ports.
However, in response to North Korea’s January 2016 nuclear test and February ballistic missile launch,
in February that same year, Japan implemented restrictions on visits of persons; lowered the minimum
amount of money requiring notification of the export of means of payment; prohibited in principle thepayment of money to North Korea; prohibited the entry of North Korean flagged ships as well as ships
carrying the flag of a third country which stopped at a port in North Korea, including those withhumanitarian purposes, into Japanese ports; and also expanded the list of related organizations andindividuals subject to asset freezing. In addition, Japan also implemented measures against North Korea
based on UNSC resolution 2270 adopted in March of that year, including prohibiting the entry into
Japanese ports of ships designated as subject to sanction and expanding the list of related organizations
and individuals subject to asset freeze.
Furthermore, in September 2016, North Korea conducted the second nuclear test in the year. It also
launched over 20 ballistic missiles that year. Taking into account that it failed to resolve the abductions
issue in spite of strong calls to return all abductees as soon as possible, Japan upgraded restrictions on
travel to North Korea, prohibited the entry into Japanese ports of Japanese flagged vessels which had
stopped at a port in North Korea, and further expanded the list of related organizations and individuals
subject to asset freeze in December of that year. Additionally, based on the UNSC resolution 2321
adopted in November that same year, Japan again further expanded the list of related organizations andindividuals subject to asset freeze.
Moreover, in 2017, North Korea launched 17 ballistic missiles, including three with an intercontinental
ballistic missile (ICBM) range, and in September of the same year, North Korea carried out the sixth
nuclear test, the scale of which is estimated to be the largest in its history. Meanwhile, UNSC adopted
resolutions 2356, 2371, 2375 and 2397 in June, August, September and December of the same year
respectively, and Japan expanded the list of related organizations and individuals subject to asset freeze
based on those resolutions. In addition, Japan implemented autonomous measures in July, August,November and December of the same year, designating additional entities and individuals subject to asset
freeze. Furthermore, in 2022, North Korea launched ballistic missiles 31 times with unprecedented
frequency and manner, including those passing over Japan and multiple ICBM-class ballistic missiles, andin 2023, it repeatedly launched ballistic missiles and others. Under these circumstances, the GoJ
designated additionally as Japan's own autonomous measures, related organizations and individuals as
subject to such measures as asset freeze in April, October, and December 2022, and March, September,and December 2023.

18

Abducted 13-year-old Girl, Miss YOKOTA Megumi

On November 15, 1977, more than 45 years ago, a13-year-old girl suddenly vanished from a town in Niigata
Prefecture, which faces the Sea of Japan
That morning, as usual, Miss YOKOTA Megumi had
busily eaten breakfast with her father,mother, and her twin younger brothers
and then went off to her junior highschool. That was to become the lasttime Megumi’s family saw her.
Megumi didn’t come home!

On that evening, Megumi didn’t
come home at her usual time,
although she was supposed to comehome after finishing badminton
practice, which was the club she
belonged to at school. Her family was worried anddesperately searched for her. The police also conducteda search and an investigation assuming a variety of
scenarios, such as a kidnapping, accident, runaway, or
suicide. However, they found no eyewitnesses nor any
items left behind.
On that night, Megumi was...

According to testimony heard much later, during thattime when Megumi’s father and mother were desperately
searching to find her, she had been kidnapped by North
Korean agents and was confined in the pitch-dark and cold
hold of a boat heading to North Korea. She cried out “Mom!
Mom!” and scratched everywhere on the door and walls
so desperately that when she arrived in North Korea it wassaid that her finger nails had almost come off and werecovered with blood.

However, while the family was experiencing such sorrowand pain, time went by without finding any clue.
Then 20 years later, January 21, 1997
Megumi is alive!

The family then heard the information that Megumi wasalive in Pyongyang. Her father Shigeru and mother Sakie
had made the name “YOKOTA Megumi” known to the public.
And so newspapers and magazines simultaneously reported
the news, and her case was raised in the National Diet.
Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting

On September 17, 2002, then Prime Minister Koizumi
visited North Korea and had the first Summit Meetingwith then National Defense Commission Chairman Kim
Jong-Il. Both Shigeru and Sakie had high expectationsof finally seeing Megumi. On that very day, then National
Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong- Il admitted theabduction and apologized.
However, the information given by North Korea had
the shocking claim that YOKOTA Megumi was deceased(among those that North Korea has claimed as the 5 alive,
8 deceased, and 2 no entry).
Unconvincing explanation from North Korea

However, the claim about Megumi was only what North
Korea has claimed unilaterally. North Korea has not yet
provided any convincing explanation or evidence of thisclaim. In November 2004, North Korea provided what theyclaimed were Megumi’s “remains”, but forensic analysis
on them has detected that DNA different from Megumi’s.

Bright and cheerful Megumi

We will never give up! Until we take you back!

Megumi was a bright and cheerful girl. She was like thesun to the members of her family. She liked to sing and draw
pictures, and she practiced Japanese calligraphy and classicalballet.
November 14, the day before she disappeared, was her
father’s birthday. She gave her father a comb as a gift, with thewords “Please take good care of your appearance from nowon.”

The abductees, including Megumi, have been robbedof their lives, which are irreplaceable. The families are still
awaiting the return of these most important persons intheir lives in intense grief.
These abductions by North Korea are a serious humanrights violation and an infringement of national sovereignty.
We must rescue the abductees as soon as possible.
Sakie speaks in this way:
“I want to take Megumi into a very natural place when
she returns because I believethat she is living now by doing
her best not to make any
mistakes, while being afraid of
wiretaps and hidden camerasin North Korea. I want her tolie spread out on open ground,like on a ranch in Hokkaido,
and let her say ‘I’m Free!!’”Over 45 years have passed
since her disappearance, but
Megumi still remains abductedby North Korea.

Days of sorrow for the family

From the day that Megumi disappeared, the life of her
family changed completely. For their lively dinner table, it
was as if the fire had gone out.
Her father left the house a little early every morningand searched along the shore. When her mother finishedher housework, she would walk to many different places
in town and along the shore for several kilometers whilecalling Megumi’s name.
At night, her father cried in the bath. Her mother criedwhen alone so that the other members of the family
would not know it. They both thought, “Why do we haveto go through such a sad experience? I just want to die
already.”

19

Q&A on the Abductions Issue

Q1

Q2

What is the abductions issue?

A1

Since 1991, the GoJ has raised the abductions issue by North Korea at every possible opportunity, as theauthorities’ investigation into missing Japanese citizens cases and testimonies of defecting North Korean agents
have revealed several strongly suspected cases of abductions by North Korea.
North Korea had stubbornly kept denying for quite some time that it had abducted Japanese citizens. At theJapan-North Korea Summit Meeting held in September 2002, however, North Korea’s leader Kim Jong- Il, thenChairman of the National Defense Commission, admitted the abduction of Japanese people for the first time andapologized to then Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro. But only five of the abductees have returned to Japan.
In addition to the five abductees, the GoJ has strongly demanded North Korea to promptly return the abductees
to Japan, and also has repeatedly requested North Korea the provision of relevant information on cases in which
the possibility of abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out, including cases involving so-called “unidentified
missing Japanese probably related to North Korea.”

Why did North Korea abduct Japanese people?

A2

The full truth behind the abductions remains purposefully unclear, so nothing can be said definitively atthis point. However, it is deemed that North Korea committed these abductions, which are unprecedented
crimes sponsored by the North Korean government, for the following reasons: 1) disguising North Korean
agents as Japanese citizens; 2) forcing abductees to train North Korean agents to act as Japanese; 3)
recruitment by the “Yodo-go” group*, which is still being harbored in North Korea.
(Note) The GoJ is continuing information gathering, investigations and inquiries both in Japan and overseas about the missing 871 persons (as ofJanuary 2024) for whom the possibility of abduction cannot be ruled out.

Q3

Is North Korea making a false statement in claiming that the abductions issue “hasalready been resolved”?

A3

Q4

North Korea has been claiming that it has already returned all the surviving abductees and that theremaining abductees have either died or never entered its territory, and hence that the abductions issue
has already been resolved.
North Korea, however, has only provided extremely unnatural and thoroughly unconvincing evidence of
the “death” of abductees.
During the Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations held in May 2014, “despite its previous
position”, North Korea made a commitment to conducting comprehensive and full-scale investigations on
all Japanese nationals, including the abductees, then expressed its intention to resolve all related issues.
The GoJ will continue to do everything in its power to realize the return of all the abductees.

How many Japanese people were abducted by North Korea?

A4

17 are identified by the GoJ as victims of abduction by North Korea. Of those, five have returned to Japan,
but 12 abductees still have not returned home.
In addition, it has also been revealed that two young Korean domicile children were abducted from Japan.
Moreover, there are many other missing Japanese people for whom the possibility of abduction cannot be
ruled out*. The GoJ has been urging North Korea to return all the abductees, regardless of whether they are
officially identified as such, back to Japan immediately.
*(Note) The GoJ is continuing information gathering, investigations and inquiries both in Japan and overseas about the missing
871 persons (as of January 2024) for whom the possibility of abduction cannot be ruled out.

Q5

Why are there abductees who cannot come back to Japan although North Korea has
admitted their abduction?

A5

20

It is suspected that North Korea considers it risky that inconvenient facts about the country such ascommitting espionage and terrorist activities will be revealed by returning the abductees to Japan.
For instance, former North Korean agent Kim Hyon-Hui passed herself as Japanese and blew up an airplaneof the ROK in November 1987. Kim Hyon-Hui gave testimony that she learned Japanese from an abductee (Ms.
TAGUCHI Yaeko). In the meantime, North Korea has not admitted to having been involved in this incident, andhas not returned Ms. Taguchi back to Japan for fear that the truth will be revealed if she returns.

Q6

Q7

Q8

When can we say that the abductions issue is resolved?

A6

What actions is the GoJ taking to resolve the abductions issue?

A7

The GoJ has been strongly demanding North Korea to take actions to resolve the abductions issue,
and implementing various measures on North Korea such as bans on imports from and exports to North
Korea.
By taking the opportunities of bilateral talks and international conferences, the GoJ is seeking theunderstanding and cooperation of other countries on the abductions issue.
In addition, the GoJ is gathering information on the abductees, and conducting investigations andinquiries about the missing Japanese people for whom the possibility of abduction cannot be ruled out.

What kind of negotiation policy is the GoJ following against North Korea in order toresolve the abductions issue?

A8

Q9

It is necessary to achieve the following three items for the resolution of the abductions issue:1) The safety of all abductees must be secured and they must be returned to Japan immediately.
2) North Korea must give a full account of the truth regarding all abduction cases.
3) North Korea must hand over to Japan the persons who carried out the abductions.

In accordance with the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang Declaration, the GoJ’s policy towards North Korea isthe comprehensive resolution of the outstanding issues of concern such as the abductions, nuclear andmissile issues.
As regards the GoJ’s future efforts to resolve the abductions issue, the GoJ intends to continue todemand North Korea to fulfill the Stockholm Agreement and will take every measure to achieve theimmediate return of all abductees.

How does the international community see the abductions issue?

A9

According to the final report published by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the
DPRK in February 2014, victims of abduction by North Korea are not only from Japan but also fromother countries including the ROK, Lebanon, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Romania, France, Italy, theNetherlands, and China.
The abductions issue is a human rights issue that should be raised by countries around the world,
regardless of whether their people have been abducted. The international community demands that
North Korea resolve the abductions issue immediately, as is evident from the adoption, by majority vote,of a resolution based on the report by the COI at the UN General Assembly in December 2014 andthe annual adoptions of Resolutions on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK by the UN General
Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

Q10 What can we as Japanese citizens do for the resolution of the abductions issue?
A10Over 17.22 million Japanese people (as of January 2024) have signed a petition for the resolution of
the abductions issue.
The fact that each individual citizen has expressed his or her strong determinations not to tolerate
abduction in this manner will give a significant push for resolution of the abductions issue.

21

Chronology of Abductions
1977
1978
1980
1983
1991
March 1997
August 1998
September 2002

October
DecemberAugust 2003
May 2004

November

September 2005
DecemberFebruary 2006
April
June
July

September
OctoberMarch 2007
SeptemberJune 2008
AugustSeptember
April 2009
May
June
OctoberMarch 2010
May
November
December 2011
April 2012
NovemberJanuary 2013

February
March
AugustMarch 201422

Abduction cases occurred (Cases 1, 2 and 3 on page 2 and 3)
Abduction cases occurred (Cases 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 on page 2 and 3)
Abduction cases occurred (Cases 10 and 11on page 3)
Abduction case occurred (Case 12 on page 3)
The GoJ brought up the abductions issue with North Korea at every possible opportunity.
However, North Korea persistently denied any involvement.
The Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (the Families’ Association) was established
North Korea launched a ballistic missile
The First Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting (in Pyongyang) and the signing of the Japan-DPRK Pyongyang
Declaration
Kim Jong-Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, himself admitted to the abductions of Japanese citizens
and apologized
A fact-finding team was sent to North Korea
Five abductees returned to Japan“Act on Support for Victims Abducted by North Korea” was enacted.
The First Six-Party Talks
The Second Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting (in Pyongyang)
Five family members of the abductees who had already returned to Japan in October 2002, came back from North
Korea to JapanKim Jong-Il, Chairman of the National Defense Commission, promised to immediately reopen a thorough investigationof the abductees whose whereabouts are unknown starting from scratch. SOGA Hitomi reunited with her family
members in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the family returned to Japan (July).
Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations (in Pyongyang)
The forensic evidence showed that “the remains” that North Korea handed over to Japan and claimed to be those of
YOKOTA Megumi contained DNA different from hers. The GoJ strongly protested to North Korea.
The Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks was released
The Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK adopted for the first time at a Plenary Meeting of the UN
General Assembly
Japan-North Korea Comprehensive and Parallel Talks (in Beijing)
U.S. President Bush met with family members of the abductees (in Washington D.C.)“Enforcement of the Law to Address the Abduction Issue and Other North Korean Human Rights Violations” was enacted
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (7 launches)Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 1695
The Headquarters for the Abduction Issue was established
North Korea announced nuclear test
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 1718
The Headquarters for the Abduction Issue decided on the “Policy on the abduction issue” at its first meetingFirst Working Group for normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea (in Hanoi)
Second Working Group for normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and North Korea (in Ulaanbaatar)
Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations (in Beijing)
Both sides agreed to resume investigations on the abductions issue
Japan-North Korea Working-Level Consultations (in Shenyang)
Both sides agreed on the specific details, etc. for complete reinvestigations of the abductions issue
North Korea notified Japan that they would postpone the launch of their reinvestigations
North Korea launched a ballistic missile (8 launches through July)
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Nuclear Test by North Korea (2nd Time)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 1874
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
The Headquarters for the Abduction Issue Established (Former Headquarters Established in 2006 Abolished)
Torpedo attack by North Korea on ROK navy patrol ship Cheonan
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Bombardment of Yeonpyeong in the ROK by North Korea
North Korea’s National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-Il dies
North Korea launched a ballistic missile (2 launches through December)
Kim Jong-Un assumed the position of First Chairman of North Korea’s National Defense Commission
Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (in Ulaanbaatar)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2087
The Headquarters for the Abduction Issue Established (Former Headquarters Established in 2009 Abolished)“Policies and Concrete Measures for Resolving the Abduction Issue” was adopted at the first meeting of the
Headquarters for the Abduction Issue
Nuclear Test by North Korea (3rd Time)Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2094
The UN Human Rights Council decided to set up the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the situation of human rights in the DPRK
Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the DPRK paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Abe
Mr. and Mrs. Yokota met Kim Eun-Gyong (daughter of YOKOTA Megumi) (in Ulaanbaatar)
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in the DPRK submitted its Final Report to the UN Human Rights
Council
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (11 launches through July)

March 2014
April
May

July

September
OctoberMarch 2015
June
September
January 2016
February

March
June
September
November
DecemberFebruary 2017
June
July
AugustSeptember

November

December

April 2018
May
June
September
Februay 2019
May
June
March 2020
January 2021
March
January 2022
April
May
October
DecemberJanuary 2023
March
April
AugustSeptember
DecemberJanuary 2024

Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (in Beijing)
U.S. President Obama met with family members of the abductees (in Tokyo)
Japan announced Statement by FURUYA Keiji, Minister in charge of the Abduction Issue, on the Occasion of the 10th
Anniversary of the Second Japan-North Korea Summit Meeting
Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (in Stockholm)
North Korea promised to conduct comprehensive and full-scale investigation on all Japanese nationals, including
abductees.
Japan-North Korea Intergovernmental Consultations (in Beijing)
North Korea established the Special Investigation Committee and launched investigations. Japan lifted part of its
measures against North Korea.
Japan-North Korea government-level consultations (in Shenyang)
Consultations with the Special Investigation Committee (in Pyongyang)
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (2 launches)
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of a field-based structure was established in Seoul
The UN Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on the situation of human rights in the DPRK (in Geneva)
Nuclear Test by North Korea (4th Time)
North Korea launched a ballistic missile (23 launches through October)
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
In response to North Korea’s January nuclear test and February ballistic missile launch, Japan announced it would
implement autonomous measures against North Korea. In turn, North Korea unilaterally announced it wouldcease comprehensive investigations concerning Japanese persons, including abductees, and dissolve the Special
Investigation Committee.
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2270
National Defense Commission First Chairman Kim Jong-Un assumed office as the Chairman of the State Affairs
Commission
Nuclear Test by North Korea (5th Time)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2321
Panel Discussion: “The Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” held in the UN
Headquarters in New YorkJapan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
North Korea launched a ballistic missile (17 launches through November)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2356
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2371
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
Nuclear Test by North Korea (6th Time)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2375
U.S. President Trump mentioned the abductions issue of Japanese citizens in his address at the UN General Assembly
U.S. President Trump met with family members of the abductees (in Tokyo)
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
The U.S. re-designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism
Japan announced autonomous measures against North Korea
The UNSC held a meeting on the situation in the DPRK (fourth meeting in four consecutive years)
Adoption of the UNSC resolution 2397
Inter-Korean Summit (in Panmunjeom)Inter-Korean Summit (in Panmunjeom)
U.S.-North Korea Summit (in Singapore)
Inter-Korean Summit (in Pyongyang)
U.S.-North Korea Summit (in Hanoi)
North Korea launched ballistic missiles,etc. (over 25 launches by November)
U.S. President Trump met with family members of the abductees (in Tokyo)
Meeting between U.S. President Trump and Kim Jong-Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea (inPanmunjeom)
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (8 launches)
President of the State Affairs Commission, Kim Jong-un has assumed the position of General Secretary of the Party
North Korea launched ballistic missiles, etc. (6 launches through October).
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (at least 59 launches by December 2022)
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea.
Meeting between the family members of the abductees and the U.S. President Biden (in Tokyo)
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea
The Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK adopted at a Plenary Meeting of the UN General
Assembly (18th adoptions for the 18th consecutive year)
North Korea launched ballistic missiles (at least 25 launches by December 2023)
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea.
The Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK at the UN Human Rights Council (16th adoptions for the
16th consecutive year)
The UNSC held a meeting on the situation in the DPRK (for the first time in nearly six years)
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea
Japan announced further autonomous measures against North Korea
North Korea launched 1 ballistic missile23

Abduction issue

SearchSecretariat of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue

Ministry of Foreign Aﬀairs of Japan

January 2024
Photos provided by the Cabinet Public Relations Office, Jiji Press Ltd,
AFP/Jiji,the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea and UN Photo/Loey Felipe