KANAZAWA -- Tomoe Terakoshi traveled to North Korea in April to meet her son, who went missing in 1963 and was later confirmed to be alive in North Korea. It was her 66th and perhaps final visit to the country, as she has begun to worry about her age and physical condition.
It was the first visit in five years by Tomoe, 87, to meet her son, Takeshi, 68, who went missing off the Noto Peninsula while fishing. Her legs have weakened, so Tomoe used a cane during the trip.
"I hadn't thought I'd be able to meet him again in this world," a tearful Tomoe said after returning from North Korea.
Takeshi hails from Shika, Ishikawa Prefecture, and was 13 years old when he went missing while fishing at sea with his two uncles. Tomoe learned that Takeshi was alive from a letter she received from North Korea in 1987. Tomoe has been sick lately, but decided to visit North Korea after receiving a phone call from Takeshi on New Year's Day asking her to come.
Tomoe left Japan on April 10. At the Pyongyang International Airport, she embraced Takeshi and the two cried together. Takeshi had become slightly thinner and more hunched over. "He got old," his mother said.
In Pyongyang, Tomoe stayed at Takeshi's house for 10 days. Her two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who range from the first grade in elementary school to freshmen in university, have all grown up rapidly. Her great-grandchildren visited Takeshi's house almost every day and sang Japanese songs with Tomoe.
At lunch one day, Takeshi rubbed Tomoe's arm and said: "Let's live together in Pyongyang. I'll look after you."
Her son's offer made her happy -- it was the first time he had suggested living together -- but she turned it down. "I would only burden you because I'm in poor health," she replied.
Tears flowed from her eyes on the plane ride back home.
Takeshi has insisted that he was "rescued by a North Korean ship." However, her son has also told her, "Let's discuss the truth after we're in the grave."
The Japanese government has said it cannot rule out the possibility that Takeshi was abducted by North Korea. However, out of consideration for her son's safety, Tomoe has denied he was abducted, and has acted separately from the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea.
Before leaving North Korea, Tomoe told Takeshi and his family: "On the day of the full moon, I always go outside and look up. So, please also look at the moon in North Korea, and think of me."
Although she thinks this will be her last visit to North Korea, she still holds out hope. "I want to see Takeshi and my grandchildren again," she said.
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