Japan's Cabinet Chief Issues Shortwave Appeal to North Korea Abductees

The broadcast underscores a renewed drive to break the long stalemate under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi with support from the United States.

Overview

Chief Cabinet Secretary and abduction issues minister Minoru Kihara recorded a message for the shortwave programs Furusato no Kaze and Shiokaze targeting listeners in North Korea.
He urged abductees to keep hope, called for the immediate return and safety of all victims, and asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Kihara pledged to be the last minister responsible for the issue and vowed to work daily to deliver concrete results toward securing returns.
He noted that 23 years have passed since five abductees came home in 2002 with no further returns and cited a November visit to Megumi Yokota’s abduction site in Niigata.
The message highlighted Tokyo’s plan to use all options and coordinate internationally, referencing Takaichi’s October meeting where President Trump offered full support and met families.