Updated

The government minister responsible for the issue of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea during the 1970s and 80s says he believes growing international pressure will eventually lead to a return of the abductees or their remains.

Katunobu Kato, Japan's minister in charge of the abduction issue, told The Associated Press on Friday that he hoped to obtain the understanding of the United Nations and the United States to keep up pressure on North Korea to provide a full accounting of the abductees and allow them to return home.

"We very much appreciate this heightened momentum in the international public opinion ... and we believe that North Korea also has become quite sensitive to such public opinion, Kato said.