Objective
Our objective is to support families who
are trying on their own to search for missing family members.
We aim to do this by giving them accurate infomation at the
start of their investigations by introducing them to certified
specialists.
We work for the early settlement of these incidents, and we
strive to contribute to the stability and peace of mind of the
general public by maintaining societal law and order.
Purpose
In 2002, there were "search requests" submitted to
the Japanese police for 102,880 missing persons.
This number reflects only those cases where search requests
have actually been submitted.
The actual, unregistered number is estimated at several times
100,000.
The attention the media has given to "RACHI" (abduction)
incidents in recent months has galvanized public awareness
and anxiety.
Since there is a limit to the extent to which individuals
on their own can keep searching for their loved ones who have
been missing, search requests are eventually submitted to
the police. However, because of situations with Japanese Constitutional
law, our system does not allow for active police investigations
to take place unless there is obvious suspicion crime or accident.
This unfairness and absurdity causes grief to the families
and the people involved.
At the same time, the Japanese Red Cross Society has been
hounded by North Koreans who once lived in Japan and then
crossed to North Korea, and by Japanese-born wives of North
Koreans, to search for their relatives in Japan.
Within three and a-half years, the number of requests made
is said to have reached over 2400.
Unfortunately, making inquiries to the Immigration Bureau
and local administrations, and checking transfer records of
their resident registrations, is hardly satisfying.
In the year 2001, the results of this sort of search activity
is said to have showed that only a mere 3 percent of the cases
ended in success: the finding of the lost.
To answer the need for an organization that is able to use
a diversified method of information gathering to find these
missing people, a wide variety of professionals with specialized
knowledge -- and those who simply desire to help families
with missing loved ones -- have joined hands. We share knowledge
and passion in order to undertake and support these activities.
We also feel the need for a private (civilian) organization
that can give advice to prevent these incidents from recurring
again, and if necessary, to introduce and connect people of
experience or academic standing to those in need. This is how
volunteers have come together to establish MPS: The Missing
Person Search Support Association of Japan. |
