Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru stressed that he would spearhead efforts to hold a summit with North Korea to achieve the early return of Japanese nationals kidnapped by North Korean agents decades ago .

Ishiba spoke at an event Saturday organized by families and supporters of those kidnapped in Tokyo. Around 800 people participated.

Ishiba said the kidnappings were a violation of national sovereignty. He promised that the government would tackle the problem with strong determination to ensure the return of all those abducted.

Ishiba noted that the situation is becoming more complicated due to growing mutual distrust between the two countries.

He said it was important to return to the basics of the 2002 Pyongyang Declaration between Japan and North Korea and realize what was declared 22 years ago “from a broad perspective.”

Ishiba said he would urge North Korean leader Kim Jong Un not to miss any opportunities.

He also said that “there is no point in criticizing someone without actually meeting that person.”

He added that “history shows that actions based on the strategic decisions of leaders change times.”

The head of a group of abductees’ families, Yokota Takuya, also spoke at the event. Her sister, Megumi, was kidnapped when she was in her first year of high school.

He said his sister and all the other abductees were waiting to be rescued. He noted that the situation remains unchanged since the 2002 Japan-North Korea summit.

Yokota added that he hopes the Japanese government is fully aware that time is running out, as many parents who were waiting for their loved ones to return have died.

The Japanese government says at least 17 of its citizens were kidnapped by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s. Five were repatriated in 2002, but the other 12 remain missing.