Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended the meeting with family members of abductees and others held in Tokyo, and delivered an address.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister said, "Abduction is a truly unforgivable act and also an intolerable violation of the national sovereignty. Although some of the abductees returned to Japan years ago, for which I feel tremendously happy, it was extremely regrettable that the return of all abductees was not realized. I would like to do my utmost to resolve this issue which must be addressed by multiparty efforts."

In response, Mr. Shigeo Iizuka, Representative of the Association of the Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN), said, "We are aware that as Prime Minister you have been extremely concerned about the abduction issue and have demonstrated specific actions. It was encouraging that at the fourth meeting of the Headquarters on the Abduction Issue you announced a strong resolve to do all you can to resolve the issue. I earnestly ask you to consider specific courses of action to take to save abductees, so as to be able to act at any moment."