Five children of Japanese nationals kidnapped decades ago have arrived in Tokyo after being freed by North Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi gained their release during a 90-minute summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il in Pyongyang. In return, Japan will send 250,000 tons of food and 10-million dollars worth of medical aid to North Korea.
Former American soldier Charles Robert Jenkins, who is married to one of the abductees, and their two children will remain in North Korea, while the two countries continue to discuss their future.
Mr. Jenkins fears that if he goes to Japan, he will face prosecution for allegedly deserting the U.S. Army 40 years ago.
Today's meeting was the first between the leaders of Japan and North Korea since their unprecedented summit in September 2002, when Mr. Koizumi won the release of five Japanese abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.