Japan group sends memory sticks of abduction film to North Korea: ‘better to try’

An organisation that supports the families of Japanese kidnapped by North Korea has started to send memory sticks containing a film about the abductions and details of around 470 missing individuals into the North attached to balloons or in bottles.

This initiative comes in response to the perceived inaction of the Japanese government, which has been criticised for not taking a firm stance on the abduction issue.

“We and the families are very disappointed in the Japanese government’s inaction on the abductions, but we will never give up the fight,” said Yuki Yakabe, a director of the Investigation Committee on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea (Comjan).

“We have approached the government, too many times to count, to ask about progress on the abductees being able to return, but every time they say they are ‘doing their best’ or that they are ‘hopeful’ – but nothing is changing,” Yakabe told This Week in Asia.

Comjan hopes that by directly reaching North Koreans, they can uncover information that has eluded traditional diplomatic channels. The organisation has partnered Fighters for a Free North Korea, a group of defectors who have for several years been sending balloons and bottles across the demilitarised zone.

The memory sticks also contain details on how anyone in the North who can provide information about the missing individuals can claim a cash reward.

“We feel that many politicians are too pro-China and do not want to upset Beijing by pushing them to intervene with North Korea on this issue,” Yakabe said. “There is also talk about Japan reopening an embassy in Pyongyang, which means the government is not willing to take a firm position against the North.”

The families are now willing to take matters into