The Japanese government will begin broadcasting radio messages to Japanese residents abducted by North Korea starting in June.
According to Kyodo News, on May 29, Japanese government spokesperson Yoshimasa Hayashi recorded messages for shortwave radio broadcasts targeting Japanese victims abducted by North Korea.
In his recorded message, Hayashi said, “Continue to hold on to the belief that the day will surely come when you will step on the homeland again and reunite with your family, embracing each other.”
Hayashi also emphasized, “The administration of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recognizes the abduction issue as the most important task. Kishida is attempting to get the victims to return home as soon as possible.”
The recorded message will be broadcast in June through shortwave radio operated by a Japanese private organization, the National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea.
The Japanese government claims that 17 Japanese people were abducted into North Korea between the 1970s and 1980s, while 12 of them remain in North Korea.
However, North Korea counters that there is no problem to solve, stating that 8 out of the 12 have died while 4 never came to North Korea.
Kishida has repeatedly expressed his intention to pursue a summit with Kim Jong Un to resolve the issue of North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens.
