Mother of Japanese Abductee Geiko Passes Away... "Oldest Family Member of Abductees"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Kayoko Arimoto, the mother of Keiko Arimoto, the eldest family member of Japanese abductees by North Korea, passed away while receiving care due to worsening heart disease, NHK and other broadcasters reported on the 6th.

According to the reports, Kayoko passed away on the afternoon of the 3rd at a hospital in Hyogo Prefecture due to heart failure. She was 94 years old and was the oldest among the families of abductees, NHK reported. NHK explained that she was the seventh family member of abductees recognized by the government after the 2002 North Korea-Japan summit who died without meeting the victim.

Keiko, Kayoko’s daughter and an abductee, was abducted in July 1983 while traveling in Europe after completing her studies in London, United Kingdom, 37 years ago. At that time, Keiko was 23 years old. When Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi visited North Korea in September 2002, North Korea officially acknowledged the abduction but claimed that she died from gas poisoning.

After confirming Keiko’s abduction, Kayoko, along with her husband Akihiro, engaged in rescue activities for over 30 years. Since forming the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea in 1997, she traveled across Japan appealing through signature campaigns and lectures to help the victims return as soon as possible. Every morning, she prayed at the household altar in their home in Kobe for her daughter’s safety, and every night she prepared a meal for her daughter at the dining table, NHK reported.

However, Kayoko’s heart disease worsened several years ago, and she underwent surgery in April 2016. Since then, she was unable to continue her activities and was repeatedly hospitalized and discharged. In September last year, she demanded government action in an interview with NHK, saying, "Please bring Keiko back. I have no other regrets."

Last year, during his state visit to Japan, U.S. President Donald Trump personally replied to a letter written by Kayoko’s husband Akihiro. In the letter, President Trump said, "We are doing everything we can for you. You will win," to which Kayoko responded, "This is the last chance to resolve this issue. I hope all abductees return to Japan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.