The government's investigation into the fate of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s has made some progress, although the findings include shocking details. Credit goes to an 11-member fact-finding mission that returned Tuesday from two days of difficult activities in North Korea.

The abductees' families, however, are understandably dissatisfied with the findings, which leave many questions unanswered. The government should make every effort to arrange relatives' visits to North Korea and the early return home of surviving abductees and their families. At the same time, it should continue its investigation in order to find out the whole truth about these state-organized kidnappings. Another fact-finding mission must be sent to North Korea.

According to the mission's report to relatives, a summary of which was released at a press conference, the group met five survivors who had been named by North Korea at the Sept. 17 summit meeting in Pyongyang between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. The report says that, judging from their physical features and other characteristics, "it can be reasonably concluded that they are the same persons" as those identified by North Korea at the summit.