Japanese Abductee Families Seek U.S. Support, Open to Sanctions Relief for North Korea

The families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago have departed for Washington to seek support from U.S. legislators and government officials for their return. The members of the families include Takuya Yokota, the head of a group representing the families of Japanese kidnapped in the 1970s and 1980s, and Koichiro Iizuka, secretary general of the group.

This marks the first visit by the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea (AFVKN) to the United States since May 2023. The families are conveying a new policy that they do not oppose the lifting of sanctions if all abductees are immediately returned while their parents are still alive. The association intends to gain the understanding of the U.S. side for this policy, which they say is not a unilateral concession.

AFVKN has adopted a stance where they would not oppose the lifting of Japan's individual sanctions imposed on North Korea if an "immediate return of all abductees" occurred while the parents of the abductees are still alive. The National Association for the Rescue of Japanese Kidnapped by North Korea and a bipartisan caucus are also accompanying AFVKN to the United States.

Why this matters: The abduction issue has long strained relations between Japan and North Korea. The families' willingness to consider sanctions relief in exchange for the return of their loved ones represents a significant shift in their approach. This visit aims to rally U.S. support for resolving the abductions, which could potentially impact the broader dynamics of engagement with North Korea.

The Japanese government has identified 17 of its citizens as having been abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s, with five already repatriated. North Korea maintains that eight of the abductees have died and the other four never entered the country. However, Japan believes some of the abductees may still be alive and has been pressing for a full accounting and their return.

Key Takeaways

• Families of Japanese abductees by N. Korea visit U.S. to seek support for their return.
• Families open to lifting sanctions if all abductees are immediately returned while parents alive.
• This marks the first U.S. visit by the families' association since May 2023.
• Abduction issue has strained Japan-N. Korea relations; U.S. support could impact engagement.
• Japan believes some abductees may still be alive, presses for full accounting and return.