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Shigeru Yokota, father of N Korea abductee, dies at 87

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I am sorry he never got back his daughter.

RIP, Mr. Yokota.

24 ( +26 / -2 )

RIP. This death shows the cruelty of some regimes in the world. A father deprived of seeing her daughter again. Just horrible, disgusting. I have no words. And remarkable that he did not promote racism in any form. Respects to this man.

21 ( +22 / -1 )

Abe says: “we must act decisively.”

This is when the need for a strong military comes into play. Like the Iran/US hostage crisis in the 80’s, the US under Reagan gave the Iranians a deadline to release the hostages or get blowed up. They released them.

Now, do you go to war over one life, a thousand lives? One or a thousand, it’s the same, you fight!

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

I don't understand why North Korea still keep this lady in that land.

For sure North Korea must pay for all wrongdoings she has done since 1970s.

-5 ( +7 / -12 )

A very sad end to a life he devoted to getting his child back home. You did everything you could and were never to blame.

Yet, a question that will give uncomfortable answers: Why is there a North Korea? Why was there a political vacuum? Who invaded, occupied and destroyed?

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

A great man for never giving up. May he RIP.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

This whole issue is the most difficult to understand in my 30+ years living in Japan.

First, with so many Japanese born North Koreans politically aligned to Pyongyang, why did they feel the need to kidnap? But even more difficult to understand is the Japanese governments response. For years they knew exactly what happened but did nothing for fear of upsetting the NK regime. At that time the biggest source of foreign currency for Pyongyang was pachinko cash shipped from Japan and cash from NK nationals in Japan.

Japan should have stopped all trade, cut the aid ship, and even confiscated all funds of NK nationals living in Japan.

16 ( +19 / -3 )

" A father deprived of seeing her daughter again." This is the worst that can happen to a family. My condolences.

Must remind everyone that this was fate of many Korean families whose daughters were abducted to be "comfort women."

All sorrows are one.

"First, with so many Japanese born North Koreans politically aligned to Pyongyang, why did they feel the need to kidnap?" From what I can gather the North Koreans needed native speakers as teachers. The idea was that any native speakers would do. It was a stupid and tragic idea.

3 ( +10 / -7 )

What a sad, sad life. For years and years you live without your missing child never knowing if the child is alive or dead.

16 ( +16 / -0 )

He also opposed them becoming a source of racism toward ethnic Koreans living in Japan,

A good decent man.

So sorry you couldn’t see your daughter or know what happened to her!!

16 ( +16 / -0 )

He was as much a pawn of the Japanese govt as the sex slaves were of the south Korean govt. Every few years, they are propped up by their respective countries to whip up domestic nationalism. While their pain was real, neither govt could really resolve their pleas for help. Sad all the way around.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Rest in Peace. So sad to lose his daughter when she was just 13 and heartbreaking to never see her again. Mr. Yokota sounded like a great man and loving father.

I don't understand why North Korea still keep this lady in that land.

It is highly likely she is sadly also now deceased. 

8 ( +10 / -2 )

R.I.P

You will unite one day with your beloved daughter in the other world.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

HokkaidoboyToday 06:56 am JSTRIP. This death shows the cruelty of some regimes in the world. A father deprived of seeing her daughter again. Just horrible, disgusting. I have no words. And remarkable that he did not promote racism in any form. Respects to this man.

It's a heavy onus for a father to bear, like a Yap money wheel around the neck. It's just terrible, unspeakable. I'm glad he didn't despair or fall into addiction or substance abuse. I'm glad he never gave up and lived to grow old but it's still heartbreaking nonetheless. And his life didn't have a happy ending because he never saw his daughter again. I'm glad he never turned his tragedy into ethnic hatred.

Fighto!Today 09:24 am JSTRest in Peace.

It is highly likely she is sadly also now deceased.

If so, then hopefully he and his daughter are reunited today - in Heaven. RIP.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

@Kipling

This whole issue is the most difficult to understand in my 30+ years living in Japan.

This feeling is shared even among many Japanese nationals. It makes little sense when it comes to prospering pachinko industry or else loopholes for money laundering for the hostile regime. Though North Korea is to blame, reluctance and procrastination have been seen on the Japanese side.... for decades.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So incredibly sad... the man spent half his life being tortured about whys and what ifs, never being able to know for sure what happened to his daughter, never being able to meet her again (in this life, anyway), and worse still being used as a political tool. I hope he has found a bit of peace, at last, and am so sorry he could not in life. RIP.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

RIP sir, you are an inspiration to us all

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Its awful that he and others were never and will never be reunited, but we cannot base our futures upon the stories of the dead.

In no way do I support the North Korean government, but its a disorganized mess operating in terror of its leader. That it ever confessed to the kidnappings or tried to return any remains or could even trace anything within its own mess is all truly amazing. Its reward? The Japanese government screaming even louder! The only reason I can see for that is a show for the domestic audience as it certainly has not helped the abduction victims as all or their families.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

You can not believe much of anything that North Korea says. If they are both deceased and believe in the afterlife etc.. then they are together again.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I hope that some picks up his touch and starts to carry it, so that his hard work will be not in vain.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

It's sad to learn today that the father of Megumi has passed and it takes me back to the days when I first learnt of the kidnappings. The Yokota's pushed every PM of Japan from day one to investigate and pursue the release of their daughter.

When Yoshiro Mori became PM he promised the Yokota's that he would arrange the release of their daughter in a third country and was meeting President Clinton at the Okinawa summit to arrange the deal.

One of the most humorous and memorable jokes circulating in the press after that meeting was when Mori was asked " Were you able to speak in English to the USA president about Megumi " ? Mori was reported to have laughed at the questioner .

A further question was put to Mori .... Can you explain when President Clinton approached you and asked, “How are you?” and you replied, “I am Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.”

Rest in peace Shigeru Yokota .. You and your family are not forgotten .

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Mr.Yokota,

i hope you rest in each and live in harmony with all of your family’

10 ( +10 / -0 )

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