NEW IMAGES HAVE emerged of a Japanese couple who went missing in Co Clare at the weekend.

Garda press office Garda press office

Gardaí at Kilrush in Co Clare are appealing to the public for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of the pair, who have not been seen since Saturday 22 August.

Garda press office Garda press office

The missing couple are:

• Eiji Takagi
• Male
• 63 years old
• With joint American and Japanese nationality

And:

• Ushio Azaki
• Female
• 61 years old
• Japanese national

The pair checked out of their hotel accommodation in Spanish Point, Co Clare, on Saturday morning, 22 August.

A hired car they were using was found parked in a car park at Georges Head car park, Kilkee.

Garda Press Office Garda Press Office

Gardaí say it is believed this car was parked there shortly after 9pm on Saturday 22 August.

They were both due to take a flight from Shannon Airport on Monday 24 August, via Heathrow Airport for onward connection to Tokyo.

However, they failed to show up for this flight.

A search operation is ongoing in conjunction with an Garda Síochána and the Irish Coast Guard.

Anyone with information in relation to the whereabouts of the couple, or for anyone who may have seen their car (a red Hyundai 151-D23003) prior to it being found in Kilkee is asked to contact Kilrush Garda Station on 065 908 0550, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

Read: Search for Japanese couple missing in Clare wound down for night>