Prime Minister Naoto Kan held the second meeting of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue at the Prime Minister's Office.

At the meeting, activities since the establishment of the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue last year in October were reported on, and an exchange of opinions on how to proceed in the future took place.

At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Kan stated, "I have just met with family members of abductees, heard many things from them, and received a letter of request on June 10. I truly felt directly the inexpressible hardships that Ms. Megumi Yokota, her parents, and the families have endured for more than 30 years. It goes without saying that the abduction issue is one that violates sovereignty and threatens the very lives of the people, and can never be condoned. The government will work as one to realize the return of the abductees as soon as possible by all means."