Relatives of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago Sunday called for priority to be placed on the return of survivors, after North Korea agreed with Japan in May to reinvestigate the fate of the abductees.
At a special gathering in Tokyo of family members and their supporters, Shigeo Iizuka, 76, whose sister, Yaeko Taguchi, was abducted at the age of 22 in 1978, said, "We want the (Japanese) government to negotiate with clear lines in the sand."
"It is the top priority to realize the return of survivors. I would really like to see Yaeko," said Iizuka, who heads a group representing relatives of the abductees. The meeting was attended by about 200 people.