Abducted Japanese Schoolgirl Film Touches Hearts, Raises Concerns
An abducted daughter, the parents’ unending love, and the nearly 30-year search for the poster child of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens were elements of the award-winning documentary.
BALTIMORE – An abducted daughter, the parents’ unending love, and the nearly 30-year search for the poster child of North Korea’s abduction of Japanese citizens were elements of the award-winning documentary Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story, which made a rare appearance over the weekend.
The story of the abducted 13-year-old Japanese school girl, which U.S. President George W. Bush heard last month during what he said was “one of the most moving meetings” in his entire presidency, was shown on the silver screen during the Maryland Film Festival on Saturday.
The documentary follows the reactions of Megumi Yokota’s parents, family, and friends, as well as comments from experts from the time of her disappearance to when her parent’s rejected “evidence” from North Korea that Megumi was dead. The film offers a rare glimpse into the private thoughts and lives of the Yokotas and other characters, including moments of doubts, depression, and loneliness.
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“I’m not perfect. I thought I had failed her or something. Or maybe I didn’t know about her,” said Megumi’s mother, Sakie Yokota, as she recalled her initial thoughts on the night she discovered Megumi missing.
During one of the hardest point in her life after Megumi’s abduction, Sakie said, “I just wanted to die.” At this point, Sakie’s friend invited her to a Bible class where she eventually accepted Christ.
“I never read the Bible before,” said Sakie. “I started to read Job 1:21 (Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.).”
“God, He has power to give and take,” the Japanese mother reflected. “God can take anything at anytime. I realized that it is what you do with sadness that matters. I understand.”
Sakie’s faith has caused difficulties in her marriage. Shigeru, Sakie’s husband and Megumi’s father who is also devoting all his energy and time to find Megumi, is not a Christian and gets angry when Sakie talks about her faith and God.
“If there is a God then He would give her back!” said Shigeru when questioned about how he feels about God.
Megumi was abducted on Nov. 15, 1977 while walking home from badminton practice in Niigata, Japan. She was kidnapped and forced to board a ship headed towards North Korea. According to reports from North Korean defectors, Megumi was confined in a small room at the bottom of the ship where she scratched the walls and cried, “Mom – Help Me!” until she fainted. At the end of the 40-hour trip, the 13-year-old school girl’s nails were completely off and she was lying in her own blood and vomit.
“I get mad at North Korea,” Sakie admitted as she spoke candidly about her difficulties towards the end of the documentary. “I have to work very hard not to be depressed.”
In addition to Megumi, the film also included scenes from other parents whose child were abducted. In a heartbreaking scene, a frazzled, bed-ridden, elderly woman with many teeth missing cried uncontrollably, “My Son! My Son! I just want to say one thing – welcome home my son!” as she looks at her son’s picture. The mother had waited for nearly 30 years to see her son, but died six months prior to his release and return home to Japan in 2002.
The film concluded with Sakie’s dream for Megumi when she returns to Japan.
“I want her to enjoy the outdoors. I want her to experience nature so she won’t feel confined anymore. I want to hear her say, ‘Finally, I am free.’”
