Departing U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer expressed regret Wednesday there was not more progress on the abduction issue during his stint but pledged to continue to support the effort to repatriate any Japanese kidnapped to North Korea regardless of his future post.

"I will never forget walking with Mr. and Mrs. Yokota along the same path Megumi traveled on that fateful day when she was snatched from her family," Schieffer said of the abducted teen during his final public appearance, at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo.

"I will continue to support their efforts to find justice in this matter, no matter where and what I might do in the future," said Schieffer, who is scheduled to return to the United States on Thursday.