Relatives and work colleagues of the Japanese missing in Tuesday's terrorist attacks in New York departed for the United States on Saturday.

A total of 80 relatives and colleagues of missing employees of Fuji Bank, Chuo Mitsui Trust & Banking Co., Nomura Research Institute and Nishi-Nippon Bank left Narita aboard All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines flights, officials of the companies said.

"Those (missing) are people I worked with. I would like to get there as soon as possible to confirm they are safe," Atsushi Takano, a former head of Fuji Bank's New York branch, told a news conference at Narita Airport.

The bank's 12 staff, including New York branch manager Taizo Ishikawa, 50, are still listed as missing.