Japanese media are reporting that a North Korean official is arranging a meeting between a Japanese abductee in the North and her family in Japan.

Kyodo News says a Chinese businessman heard about the arrangement from a ranking North Korean official early last month. He said the abductee is Kyoko Matsumoto, who went missing in 1977.

The businessman coveyed the news to Matsumoto's family in Japan, adding that she has been living with another Japanese abductee in the North.

Matsumoto's family said they believe she is alive and they will meet her if contacted, though they don't know how much of the report is factual.