都知事メッセージ

ご来場の皆様へ

　このたびは、「拉致被害者救出運動」オンライン写真展をご覧いただき、ありがとうございます。この写真展は、若い世代の皆様を含め、一人でも多くの方に拉致問題について知っていただくために開催しています。

　北朝鮮による拉致は、我が国の国家主権の侵害であり、国民の生命と安全を脅かす、極めて重大な人権侵害です。

　日本政府は、17名の日本人を拉致被害者として認定しています。そのほかにも、特定失踪者など拉致の可能性を排除できない方々が、多数おられます。東京でも、拉致被害者４名を含む、少なくとも50名の消息がいまだにつかめていません。
　突然、日常を奪われ、長きにわたりとらわれの身となっている拉致被害者や、そのご家族の方々に思いを致しますと、胸が張り裂けそうな気持ちになります。
　こうした中、北朝鮮は、なおも弾道ミサイルの発射を繰り返すなど不誠実極まりない行為を繰り返しており、強い憤りを覚えます。

　拉致被害者やご家族の方々はご高齢となり、親世代のご家族はお一人です。もはや一刻の猶予も許されません。
　被害者の皆様を、一刻も早く、祖国日本へ、ご家族のもとに取り戻したい。絶えず帰国を願い続けてこられたご家族、支援者の皆様、そして全国民にとって、拉致問題の解決は切なる願いです。皆様お一人おひとりが、拉致問題を自らの問題として考え、国民世論の結集に向けて行動することが、被害者救出への大きな力となります。

　日本政府は、毎年12月10日から16日までを「北朝鮮人権侵害問題啓発週間」と定めており、拉致問題その他北朝鮮当局による人権侵害についての関心と認識を深める取組が、全国各地で行われます。
　東京都も、拉致問題の早期解決に向けた多くの方々の思いを一つにするために、オンライン写真展、都庁舎のブルーリボンライトアップをはじめ、様々な啓発活動に取り組んでまいります。
　すべての拉致被害者の早期帰国が実現するよう、拉致問題解決への取組をしっかりと後押ししてまいりましょう。

Message from the Governor of Tokyo

Thank you for viewing the online photo exhibition on “Abductions of Japanese Citizens by North Korea.” We are holding this photo exhibition to raise awareness of the abduction issue among as many people as possible, including younger generations.

In addition to being a violation of our national sovereignty, abductions carried out by North Korea are also serious human rights violations that threaten the lives and safety of Japanese citizens.

The government of Japan officially recognizes 17 Japanese nationals as abductees. However, there are also numerous missing person cases for which abduction by North Korea cannot be ruled out. The whereabouts of at least 50 Tokyo residents are still unknown, including 4 abductees.
When I think of the abductees, who have been held against their will for so long after having their ordinary lives suddenly taken from them, and when I think of their families, I find it truly heartbreaking.
I also feel strong indignation against North Korea for continuing to engage in extremely unprincipled behavior, such as repeatedly launching ballistic missiles.

Both the abductees and their family members in Japan are aging, and there is now only one living parent of an abductee. There is not a moment to spare in resolving this matter.
I want all the abductees to be able to return to their homeland of Japan and to their families as soon as possible. Family members have continued to pray for the abductees’ return, and it is their strong hope, along with that of their supporters and all Japanese citizens, to see this matter resolved. I believe it is essential for each and every individual to consider the abduction issue as a problem that is personally relevant to them and take action to rally public opinion. This will serve as a powerful force for the rescue of the abductees.

The Japanese government has designated December 10‒16 as North Korean Human Rights Abuses Awareness Week. Every year, events are held across Japan with the aim of deepening interest and awareness regarding the abduction issue and other human rights violations carried out by the North Korean authorities.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also undertaking various activities to raise awareness, seeking to unite the resolve of many people to quickly bring an end to the abduction issue. These efforts include holding this online photo exhibition, as well as lighting up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to resemble a blue ribbon, a symbol of the movement calling for the return of the abductees.
Let us continue to firmly support efforts to resolve this issue, so as to realize the early return of all abduction victims.