TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan will send officials to North Korea to hold meetings Oct. 28-29 for an update on the reclusive country’s investigation into the fate of Japanese citizens abducted decades ago to train spies, Japan’s top government spokesman said on Wednesday.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that the delegation will tell the North it is Japan’s top priority to solve the issue, and will hear about the status of the investigation.