BBC News
By Rebecca Seales and Hideharu Tamura
BBC News, in Tokyo
15 November 1977, Niigata, Japan:
It was after sunset on a crisp November evening when Megumi Yokota left her last badminton practice. Sharp winds chilled the fishing port of Niigata, and the grey sea rumbled at its brink.
The lights of home were seven minutes walk away.
Megumi, 13, with her book-bag and badminton racquet, said goodbye to two friends 800ft from her parents front door. But she never reached it.
As six o clock became seven and the quiet street failed to produce her daughter, Sakie Yokota began to panic. She ran to the gym at Yorii Middle School, expecting to meet her en route.