Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama met with family members of Japanese victims of North Korean abductions in Tokyo on Thursday.

Shigeru Yokota and his wife Sakie, whose daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korean agents decades ago were among those who gathered at a state guest house.

It was the second time for the family members to meet an American president, after the first time with President Bush at the White House in 2006.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the minister in charge of the abduction issue also attended.

President Obama shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Yokota and said that he understood their pain as the father of two daughters.

Obama said the U.S. would cooperate to solve the abduction issue.