Families of abduction victims refuse to believe accounts

TOKYO -- One married an American defector and is still living. But North Korea says eight other Japanese kidnapped by communist spies died -- one committed suicide in a mental hospital, two died in car crashes, two more of gas poisoning, two others of illness and one drowned.

All but one of their graves have disappeared, reportedly washed away by floods -- leading the victims' families to question the North Korean accounts, relayed by Japanese officials who returned Tuesday from a fact-finding mission in North Korea.

"This country is telling us outrageous things. It makes me realize what a horrifying country it is," said Sakie Yokota, whose daughter Megumi was 13 when she disappeared in 1977 on her way home from badminton practice.

According to the North Koreans, Megumi Yokota killed herself while receiving treatment for depression in a mental hospital in the capital of Pyongyang in 1993. She was found hanging from a pine tree, torn bits of her clothing fashioned into a rope, Japanese officials quoted the North as saying.

The disclosures came as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly was headed to North Korea for security talks Thursday and Friday, raising hopes for a growing dialogue with the isolated communist state.

But the Japanese public reacted with stunned incredulity to the information relayed by Cabinet spokesman Shinzo Abe at a news conference Wednesday -- raising doubts about the talks being planned between the Asian neighbors to try to set up diplomatic ties.

"Clearly, these are lies upon lies," said Katsuei Hirasawa, a lawmaker who has been trying to bring the abducted Japanese home.

Although Japan has long worried about Pyongyang's suspected nuclear weapons program and missile development, the kidnappings are clearly the most volatile and emotional issue for the Japanese public.

The mystery of the victims' deaths dominated news coverage Wednesday.