Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago meet with high-ranking U.S. government officials and members of Congress, strongly urging closer cooperation between the U.S. and Japan to resolve the long-standing issue.  
 

S/ Yokota Takuya, （56）, Head of the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea：Until last December, just before the passing of Arimoto Akihiro, the father of Arimoto Keiko, in February, we had been raising our voices and working hard together at various rallies and meetings. Witnessing him suddenly gone from the forefront has been a stark reality. (jump cut) The possibility that my mother (Yokota Sakie) might pass away without ever reuniting with her daughter Megumi is something I cannot allow to happen. 

Iizuka Koichiro, (48), Eldest son of Taguchi Yaeko: It has been 47 years since my mother was abducted, and I still haven't been able to meet her. I desperately want to see her, even just once. 

Families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago met with high-ranking U.S. government officials and members of Congress, strongly urging closer cooperation between the U.S. and Japan to resolve the long-standing issue.  

During their meetings in Washington D.C., Yokota Takuya, Iizuka Koichiro, and other family members stressed the urgency of the situation, telling U.S. officials and lawmakers that "time is running out."  

Reflecting on the meetings, Yokota said on April 30 that they "gained many allies."  

He further emphasized the need for action from the Japanese government, saying, "Now, it is Japan's government's turn to take concrete steps."