no way to make contact. and what follows is a trip into a diplomatic black hole where all that stands in the way of a reunion is the government of one of america's closest allies. here now is abbie boudreau for this "nightline" investigates. >> reporter: in a country half a world air way, we went in search of these missing american children. some as young as 3 years old. all of them taken by japanese mothers from american fathers. and now living in japan. how many of you had your children taken from you and now they are somewhere in japan? there are currently 140 american children there, cut off from contact with an american parent. >> i haven't heard my kid's voice in a year and a half. >> it's a black hole for child abduction. no child is ever returned. >> reporter: paul hasn't had contact with his daughter since she was 9 months old. she's about to celebration her ninth birthday. we went to japan, armed with

photos. missing posters. and last known addresses. we found some children hidden in plain sight. like commander toland's daughter. erika was a little baby when she was taken off a u.s. military base in japan by her mother. years after she was taken off the base her mother committed suicide. and ever since, she's been raised by her grandmother in japan. >> reporter: we spotted erika with the help of a private investigator that the commander has had tracking her for years. we wait until erika is dropped off school and then we approach her grandmother. through our tokyo producer we ask her why she won't let the commander see his daughter. >> he won't come see her. >> reporter: he says he misses her. >> he says. he says that. he doesn't pay anything --

>> reporter: he doesn't pay -- >> to bring her up. >> reporter: so you're raising her. >> yes. >> reporter: and would you allow him to see her? >> no. >> reporter: no? why? >> there's no network for money between paul and me. >> reporter: she accuses paul of being a deadbeat father. he says he's tried to put money in a bank account for erika, but her grandmother turned it down. the commander has tried to get the u.s. department of state to intervene. but we saw first-hand how powerless american authorities are when we went in search of japanese women on the fbi's most wanted list for parental kidnapping. this woman is one of them. we talked to a woman we believe is her sister. do you know -- >> i'm sorry, no comment. >> reporter: do you know she's on the fbi's most wanted list? where are they? where are they?

>> i have no comment. >> reporter: where is she? where is this young boy? his father wants to see him. then, two plain clothed japanese police officers approach us. we show them the fbi poster. >> we are the japanese police and she's not violating any japanese law so she can't do anything. >> reporter: because she's not violating any japanese law, though she's wanted by the fbi, you're not going to do anything about it? >> can't do anything. >> reporter: and it turns out that is true. japanese law does not recognize u.s. custody orders or arrest warrants. leaving the u.s. government helpless in these situations. in one instance a mother who admitted to abducting her child salt down to talk with us. we agreed not to show her face or use her name. she says spiriting her son out of the states was simple.

>> it was very easier to me. >> reporter: it was easy? >> yeah. >> reporter: scott last saw his son two years ago. right before he was abducted and taken to japan. >> my concern is for my son. i mean, what kind of life is he having in japan right now? what has he been told about his father? >> reporter: sawyer and his wife had problems in their once happy marriage after their son wayne was born. >> she said repeatedly, i want to take the baby to japan and i knew if that happened they wouldn't come back. >> reporter: sawyer filed for divorce. according to court documents, sawyer told a judge that his wife was a flight risk. she was ordered to turn over her passport and to not leave the country with their son. still, during an unmonitored visit, she packed up her apartment and their young son and boarded a plane to japan. one day later, an e-mail from his ex-wife. it says, in part now it's time to start this game in japanese

rules. if you report me to the police you can't see wayne. within moments of showing up at her parents house, we see her leave the driveway with wayne on the back of her bike. when they get home we approach her. my name is abbie boudreau. i'm with abc news. we know all about your story and we wanted to talk to you -- >> you know about history, you know? >> reporter: she's happy to talk and we followed her to a nearby park. >> i changed my whole life to get married with him. >> reporter: she says married life in the u.s. was difficult and that her husband refused to let her visit japan with their son. >> but he said absolutely no. >> reporter: she tells us once her husband filed for divorce, she felt abandoned. do you consider yourself a kidnapper?

>> at the time my choices was just two -- kidnapper or die. >> reporter: die? >> right. i can't live in los angeles. >> reporter: okay. so, you did what you had to do, you felt. and then she tells us exactly what we traveled so far to find out. >> reporter: the judge asked you to turn over your passport. how did you do it? >> it was very easier to me. >> reporter: it was easy? the japanese consulate told us they only issue passports to minors with the consent of both parents. still, she was able to get one. >> i explained at the japanese embassy i lost it. >> reporter: okay so you told them i lost my passport. >> reporter: yeah. >> reporter: and she admitted giving the consulate a fake name for her son and they didn't double check. back in the u.s., we showed

portions of this interview to the state department. >> it's very very frustrating for me. >> reporter: some might consider this a national security threat. >> that could be. >> reporter: japan has not signed the hague treaty that protects children from international abduction. so, the u.s. has no legal recourse. still, the country feeling their country has failed them. >> the president considers it a priority. secretary clinton does. >> reporter: isn't that enough power? >> it's not a question of power. it's a question of persuasion. japan has to do the right thing. >> reporter: for "nightline," i'm abbyie boudreau in japan. >> and unfortunately, even if japan does decide to sign the hague treaty it will only help future parents, not the fathers you met in this story. our thanks to abbi for that. when we come back we'll look at a clash between humans and the animal kingdom. a coyote attack raises concerns about the danger out the back door.

♪ ♪ professional driver on a closed course. ♪ ♪ do not attempt at home. always wear your seat belt. ♪ ♪ and please drive responsibly. [ male announcer ] it's the most fun you can legally have. see your authorized mercedes-benz dealer for exceptional offers on the c-class. (announcer) no matter what life throws at you you can take the heat. 'til it turns into heartburn you've got what it takes: zantac. it's strong, fast lasting relief. so let them turn up the heat. (sssssssss!!!) you can stop that heartburn cold: zantac. ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] here they come. all the new tech products you need. and they're all looking for the same thing. ♪ ♪ the one place that makes technology easy. staples.

with highly-trained tech experts and expanded tech centers, staples makes finding the right technology just the way you want it. easy. easy to buy. easy to fix. easy to save. staples. that was easy. [music playing] confidence available in color. depend® colors for women. looks and fits like underwear. protects like nothing else. depend®. good morning. great day.

when it comes to investing no one person has all the answers. so td ameritrade doesn't give me just one person. questions about retirement? i talk to their retirement account specialists. bonds? grab the phone. fixed-income specialist. td ameritrade knows investors sometimes need real, live help. not just one broker... a whole team there to help... to help me decide what's right for me. people with answers at td ameritrade. get up to $500 when you open an account. nenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenenene

>> announcer: "nightline" continues from new york city with bill weir. >> to the wild kingdom now and coyotes. an animal that inhabits sort of a gray area in a relationship with man. unlike wolves, they are able to thrive near towns and steps but unlike dogs they shun human contact with a few disturbing exceptions. here now jeremy hubbard with the story of a violent attack that's called into question all we thought we knew. >> reporter: they now lurk in the concrete jungles and cul-de-sacs we call home. this one sauntered into a busy chicago sandwich shop. this one rescued from the frozen waters of nearby lake michigan. coyotes, once the predators of the plains have now moved into

our neighborhoods. 2,000 of them living in and around the city of chicago by some estimates. every major u.s. city has them. l.a. to boston to the biggest concrete jungle of them all, new york city. >> i think it's safe to say there are literally millions of people living within a few yards or few hundred yards of sky yoep tees on a regular basis. now that they've move into the cities they are the top predator in urban areas. >> reporter: wow. why don't we see them? >> they do most of their activity in the middle of the night. they are able to find their own prey. they don't rely on us or garbage or pets. they can move through the cities like ghosts. >> reporter: stanley garrett tracks the ghost-like creatures -- >> she's right down there. >> reporter: he spent the last decade tracking and collaring some 500 urban sky yoep deeps in chicago. in all his years, in nearly all his encounters they've been docile, or at least he thought so. until he investigated what

happened to taylor mitchell a 19-year-old folk singer and a rising star in canada. this young woman single handedly turned everything scientists know about coyotes upside down. she's the first and only human on record to have been killed by a coyote. her bodice covered on this nature trail in canada in 2009 with massive bite wounds covering her legs and head. when a group came by minutes later, a lone coyote was still over her body. >> it made eye contact with us and stood over as it f it wasn't going anywhere, it was sort of protecting its meal i guess. >> reporter: dr. garrett came to canada to investigate her death. this he's never seen before but he's seen a pattern with coyotes. they are encroaching on humans. normally it's harmless. last week, a woman in fargo,

north dakota captured this coyote killing a deer in her backyard. but people are starting to bear the scars. anywhere from three to five people are attacked in the u.s. every year. with daytaylor,dyed they try to eat her? >> no, they tried to eat her. >> reporter: wow. >> there's no doubt. she was found right here. >> reporter: this is where the coyote csi work began. a tourist on the path that day snapped this picture moments earlier. then, another picture with another coyote approaching. over the next few days wildlife officials trapped and killed several coyotes. they call up with their cull prilts, three in all. one of them had human remains in its stomach. >> their motivation for attacking her was to kill and eat her just like they would any other prey item such as a deer. why that happened that's what we don't understand. >> reporter: if i see a coyote should i be alarmed? >> there is always a potential that mr. they be coyotes that might attack someone. so, we have to keep that in the

back of our minds. don't necessarily live in fear but respect that possibility. >> reporter: is ancient coyote behavior evolving right in front of us? to get the answer we have to look at their history. over the last century, they've been on the move spreading out. but when wolves, their normal enemyies enemies, became their roman pick partners, that may have been the start of the problem. >> they came into our population with wolves and they interbred. all the eye coecoyotes that went on carried with them some wolf dna they picked up here. >> reporter: the result a hybrid sky owe a larger fearless animal with attitude like the pack that killed taylor. when animals are that unencumbered, it's a sign they've grown too comfortable with humans which could explain why they attacked this teen. >> they're constantly testing. they're seeing what they can get away with. we know they follow the path of

least resistance. we're creating places where there can be just natural interaction between coyotes and people. >> reporter: and with millions of us living essentially right next door to these creatures that interaction is something dr. garrett will keep an eye on. after the shock of watching this docile creature turn deadly. i'm jeremy hubbard for "nightline" in washington. >> "killed by coyotes" airs this friday on the national geographic channel. thank to them and jeremy hubbard. up next, some friendlier canines. which pooch is best in show? root for your favorite breed, next. (engine starts) ♪ ♪ guy: it's a pretty big deal.

[ coughs ] ready sensei. hey tough guy, that cold needs alka-seltzer plus! it has the cold-fighting power of an effervescent packed in a liquid-gel for all over relief! hiyah! dude! how are those flat rate boxes working out? fabulous! they gave me this great idea. yea? we mail documents all over the country, so, what if there were priority mail flat rate... envelopes? yes! you could ship to any state... for a low flat rate? yes! a really low flat rate. like $4.95? yes! and it could look like a flat rate box... only flatter? like this? you...me...genius. genius. priority mail flat rate envelopes. just $4.95. only from the postal service. a simpler way to ship. the best part of any great meal? delicious gourmet gravy. and she agrees. with fancy fest gravy lovers

your cat can enjoy the delicious, satisfying taste of gourmet gravy every day. fancy feast, the best ingredient is love. igigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigigig

on a judge or pee on stage. which is just a couple reasons why the westminster kennel club show is really our most thrilling pageant. over at msg tonight they just crowned man's best best friend and linsey davis brings us all the four-legged action, by the numbers. 135. that's the number of years competitive canines have duked it out at the westminster dog show. 2,622. the number of docks in pursuit this year of the best in show mon moniker. 179 breed ss in the show this year including six new breeds. 7 to 1 for the pesky pecan neez and 6 to 1 for that smooth box terrier. terriers are used to leading the pack. number of wins over the years? 45. 2010's winner? a scottish terrier, of course.

>> sadie. >> reporter: meet sadie. good thing age is only a number. in 2009 stump became the oldest dog to win best in show. grandpa clocked in at ten years, two months and nine days old. just think of that in dog years. in 2008 uno, a beagle was the first west mincer winner to be invited to the white house. ring the opening bell at nasdaq and retrieve the first pitch at a baseball game. he stayed in room 213 at the hotel pennsylvania. 800 dogs are making this hotel their dog house this week. and on its lower level, it's a pooch primping palace snow as the spaw. price for a one-hour massage? 20 bucks. doggy psychic session? $1 a minute. >> i can feel his vibration. >> reporter: the entry fee to

the dog show? $75. and the prize money earned for winning best in show? zero. but being crowned with the highest honor in the canine world? priceless. >> best in show is -- >> reporter: just ask tonight's winner. a scottish deer hound named hickory. >> what a wonderful win! >> reporter: knows the only number that really counts is number one. for "nightline," i'm linsey davis in new york. >> all right, hickory. big dog. thanks to linsey davis. that's our report for tonight. for all of us here at abc news, good night, america. >> dicky: up next on an all-new "jimmy kimmel live" -- jeremy jeremy renner. >> jimmy: i want to know what's going on here. >> you're the flavor of the month, pal. >> dicky: eric stonestreet.

>> i'm going to go fight a bull. >> dicky: and music from black dub. >> jimmy: the miners requested inflatable sex domes. kind of like "the bachelor" but n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n%ñ