UN urges Japan over missing French woman Tiphaine Veron, nearly seven years after her unexplained disappearance in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. The United Nations has renewed its calls for transparency and cooperation in the investigation.
In a letter dated June 18, the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances issued its fifth formal request to the Japanese government. The letter highlights the continued absence of essential case details.
French officials still await hotel photographs, forensic data, and witness statements. These documents are critical to advance their parallel investigation and uncover what may have occurred.
Moreover, the committee set an August 18 deadline for Japan to comply. Despite multiple appeals, Tokyo has not provided sufficient updates, fueling perceptions of obstruction and delay.
Veron, then 36 years old, vanished on July 29, 2018, just one day after arriving at a hotel in the popular tourist city. Authorities later found her belongings, including her passport and suitcase, untouched in the room.
She is approximately 165 centimeters tall, with brown hair. So far, local police have not ruled out either an accident or a possible crime.
Meanwhile, her brother Damien Veron, 45, has returned to Japan. He is distributing flyers in Nikko to raise public awareness and gather new leads.
Although years have passed, no major breakthroughs have emerged. The Veron family continues to call for stronger international pressure and accountability.
In their latest communication, UN officials voiced growing frustration over Japan’s slow response and lack of transparency. French authorities also expressed concern about being excluded from the process.
UN urges Japan over missing French woman yet again, reflecting widespread disappointment with the investigation’s pace. Supporters say time is running out, and memories are fading.
The case has become one of Japan’s most widely known international disappearances. It underscores the challenges of cross-border cooperation in missing persons cases.
As a result, many advocates are now demanding independent oversight. They believe impartial review is necessary to ensure thorough and unbiased handling of the case.
Tiphaine Veron’s fate remains unknown. However, with rising international pressure, there is renewed hope that the long-stalled investigation may finally move forward.
