Citizens’ Rally to Demand the Immediate Return to Japan of All Abductees at the Same Time

On May 24, 2025, Prime Minister Ishiba attended the Citizens’ Rally to Demand the Immediate Return to Japan of All Abductees at the Same Time held in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Ishiba said in his address:

“I am ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan. I would like to offer a few words on the occasion of the citizens’ rally.

Mr. ARIMOTO Akihiro passed away this February. I would like to express my deepest condolences upon his passing. The last time I met him was here at last year’s rally, and the last words we exchanged are still burned into my memory. It is truly regrettable that we could not realize his reunion with his daughter (Ms. ARIMOTO Keiko) while he was alive.

In February, I received a ‘Future Action Policy’ directly from the members of the Association of Families (of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN)) and the National Association for the Rescue (of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea (NARKN)), and once again shared the sufferings and urgent wishes of the families who have not yet been able to reunite with their loved ones. The heartfelt cry of, ‘we must realize the earliest possible return of all abductees to Japan while their families are in good health’ is not only my determination, but also the wishes shared among all Japanese people.

Back when former Prime Minister Koizumi visited North Korea and gave a briefing on the abductions issue after his return, I was serving as the first chairperson of the parliamentary group on the issue. At that time, Ms. YOKOTA Sakie, who just delivered her remarks, cried out, ‘That’s not true. Megumi is alive. I don’t believe it.’ I will never forget that scene for as long as I live, and her cry will remain as the starting point for my efforts on this issue. As Chairperson Furuya just stated, the issue will fade away over time. That is exactly why compassionate people gathered here today must work throughout the country to stop it from sliding into obscurity and we at the Government must renew our recognition to take on the matter.

In the February Japan-U.S. summit meeting, I showed President Trump a photo of the family members’ previous meeting with him, explained the urgency of the current situation, conveyed my resolve to settle the issue as soon as possible, and asked for his understanding and cooperation once again. The President gave his full support for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. This is an achievement, and the fact that the United States will raise the abductions issue in possible future negotiations with North Korea will contribute to Japan’s proactive efforts toward the immediate resolution of the issue.

From the end of last month to the beginning of this month, the members of the AFVKN, the NARKN, and the suprapartisan parliamentary group visited the United States to meet with Congress members, senior government officials, and experts, conveying the earnest wishes of the families. I have been informed that the U.S. confirmed full support for Japan’s initiatives toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue as well as cooperation from the U.S. side in fostering understanding of the issue. Two days ago, I received a briefing on the results from those who paid a visit to the U.S. at the Prime Minister’s Office. The Government will make full use of the outcome of the latest visit to the U.S. to solve the abductions issue.

As Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is taking place now, presidents and prime ministers of various countries visit us at the Prime Minister’s Office almost every day, so I have opportunities to hold discussions with them for about two hours, sometimes over dinner. At such meetings, I always raise the abductions issue and seek confirmation and recognition of the issue as a matter of course. This week, President Santiago Peña [Palacios] of the South American country of Paraguay visited us, accompanied by the Foreign Minister and other officials. I was amazed that the President, who is still very young, along with all accompanying members, wore blue-ribbon badges on their chests, which renewed my recognition. The President said that they will always stand with abductees and their family members, and that Paraguay will always stand with Japan. What I sometimes talk about with Chairperson Furuya, is how when we first began working on this issue, we engaged in the translation of materials explaining the abductions issue into English, French, German, and Italian, and we split up and flew out to other countries to raise the issue. I have been discussing the possibility of reviving such efforts with Chairperson Furuya and other members of the parliamentary group. Since we will not see a solution by simply waiting, we will do our utmost to seek the understanding and sympathy of the international community. In light of time constraints, we at the Government will take effective measures to gain further cooperation and understanding from the United States and other members of the international community at the G7 summit and every other international conference, as this is an issue that is not a mere case of kidnapping, but constitutes a violation of national sovereignty.

Even if Japan and North Korea attempt to demonstrate their determination to overcome long-standing mutual distrust, seek regional peace and stability, and move forward toward a new relationship fruitful for both sides, the longer the current situation between Japan and North Korea continues, the more difficult it will become to achieve this. The leaders of both sides must make strategic decisions and take concrete actions; they must hold candid discussions and meet face-to-face with each other in order to achieve a breakthrough by all means. We will further intensify our efforts toward North Korea through various channels. A firm, unanimous resolve of the Japanese citizens was expressed at this meeting. This will serve as a strong push toward the settlement of the abductions issue. I believe that it is this voice which will push the international community and then North Korea into action.

Let me repeat myself- this issue is not just a human rights issue, but a violation of national sovereignty. National sovereignty consists of the three elements of territory, people, and the system of government. The infringement of territory and the abduction of people by a sovereign state, or I should rather say by a state, which has not allowed them to return home, are nothing but a violation of sovereignty. The fact that this constitutes a violation of sovereignty means that it concerns all citizens. We will work together with you all, so that the entire public can work as one to confront the regime of North Korea – it should be called a regime, rather than a state – and that we all can unite our hearts in working for the family members and defending our nation and the sovereignty of Japan. I would like to conclude my remarks by emphasizing that. Thank you.”