A/HRC/10/9 page 47 Japan Number of outstanding cases at the beginning of the period under review 2 Cases transmitted to the Government during the period under review Cases sent under Cases sent under the standard the urgent action procedure procedure 0 Number of cases on which the Government has replied 2 Cases clarified during the period under review by: Government Non-governmental sources 2 0 Multiple replies on some cases General allegation Prompt intervention letter Working Group request for a visit Yes N/A N/A N/A Number of outstanding cases at the end of the year under review 0 4 Number of cases of possible clarification by Government (6-month rule) 0 Government response Government response Government response N/A N/A N/A Standard cases 219. The Working Group transmitted two newly-reported cases to the Government of Japan. The cases concern Tsuyosi Ko, aged 4, and Kiyomi Ko, aged 7, reportedly abducted in Tokyo by secret agents of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in 1974. In accordance with its methods of work, the Working Group sent a copy of these cases to the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Information from the Government 220. The Government transmitted three communications to the Working Group, dated 23 November 2007, 30 May and 25 July 2008, in which it replied on two outstanding cases. The information was insufficient to clarify them. In the latter communication, the Government indicated some of the steps taken toward the resolution of cases of disappearances. Meetings 221. The Government of Japan met with the Working Group at its eighty-fourth, eighty-fifth and eighty-sixth sessions to discuss developments relating to outstanding cases. Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding 222. Since its establishment, the Working Group transmitted four cases to the Government, all of which remain outstanding. Observations 223. The Working Group deeply appreciates the ongoing commitment of the Government of Japan to meet regularly and provide information on the steps taken to clarify outstanding cases. 224. The Working Group notes the positive steps taken by the Governments of Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and is hopeful that new investigations may be carried out in the hope that outstanding cases may be clarified.