Parents, fiancée of missing Japanese sisters appeal for info

The parents of two Japanese sisters who went missing on Saipan in June appealed yesterday to anyone in the community who has information about what happened to their daughters to come forward.

Hideki Yamada and his wife, Kozue, appeal to those who have information about their missing daughters Chinatsu and Natsuki to come forward. Also in the photo is Chinatsu’s fiancée, Kenichi Ichikawa, who attended the interview at the Japan Consulate’s office yesterday. (Ferdie de la Torre)

In an interview with Saipan Tribune at the Japan Consulate’s office, Hideki Yamada and his wife, Kozue, said it’s been over four months yet they still couldn’t believe that their daughters Chinatsu and Natsuki are still missing.

“The pain we feel right now is very unbearable,” said Hideki Yamada through interpreter Hiroko Tenorio.

The Yamada couple, both 60, arrived on Saipan on Sunday together with Kenichi Ichikawa, the 29-year-old fiancée of Chinatsu, from the Nagano Prefecture. They are going back to Japan today, Tuesday.

The Yamada couple runs an apple farm in Nagano.

The Yamada couple and Ichikawa were set to meet with Police Detective Kevin Aldan and another investigator yesterday afternoon to talk about the case.

Chinatsu, 26, and Natsuki, 33, disappeared on June 30, when their rental car was recovered at Wing Beach in Marpi. They were supposed to fly back to Japan that same day.

It’s the fifth time that the Yamada couple and Ichikawa came to Saipan after the incident. They’re planning to return this December to follow up on the case.

The Yamadas said they understand that the Department of Public Safety has been investigating the case, but that they have not received any information that could help them solve the case.

The Yamadas said they thought it was a drowning accident at first but they later came to believe that something else happened.

The Yamadas said it’s very painful for them because they have been together as a family for 34 years with their two daughters and a son. The couple said it’s only their son that gives them the will to live.

“Every time we visit Saipan, we have the feeling that we want to see them. We picture them that they’re in the beach,” Mrs. Yamada said.

Ichikawa said he always visit Saipan because he feels that his girlfriend needs help.

“That’s why we’re asking the people who has information to come forward to solve the case,” he said.

Some supporting activities are underway in Japan. Some Christian friends of Natsuki are praying for the safety of both sisters everyday while singing hymns, which Natsuki loves. Friends and colleagues of Chinatsu founded a group wishing her safe return. Colleagues of their father are also helping with the supporting activities.