Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has vowed to keep pushing for a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, telling a rally in Tokyo on Sunday that her mission will not end until the families of abducted Japanese citizens can embrace their relatives again.

Around 800 people, including family members of the abductees and local officials, attended the national rally in the capital, demanding the immediate, all-at-once return of Japanese citizens taken by North Korea. Takaichi told the crowd her determination to make a breakthrough on the issue during her time in office remained unchanged.

The prime minister said she was willing to meet Kim directly for frank talks aimed at resolving the abduction issue, and that she was working to create an opening for dialogue. She added that she had received full support from United States President Donald Trump for resolving the issue, including during her recent visit to the United States.

Japan says at least 17 of its citizens were abducted by North Korean agents in the late 1970s and 1980s. Five were returned in 2002, while 12 remain unaccounted for, according to the Japanese government. The abductions have been one of the longest-running disputes between Tokyo and Pyongyang, and no Japanese prime minister has met a North Korean leader in more than two decades.

Takaichi has repeatedly raised the issue since taking office, and has asked Washington to help arrange talks. Her government is seeking dialogue with Pyongyang while pressing for the return of all the abductees at the same time. Read the full report on Particle.