Japan seeks Iraq hostage release as deadline nears

TOKYO – A Japanese minister arrived in Jordan yesterday to seek the release of a hostage in Iraq, less than 24 hours before a deadline set by his captors, who have threatened to behead the youth unless Japan withdraws its troops.

Al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s militant group said in an Internet video on Wednesday that they would behead 24-year-old Shosei Koda within 48 hours if Japan did not meet its demand. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has insisted that Japan’s non-combat troops would stay in southern Iraq, a decision that won backing from Japanese media.”This is a wicked crime aimed at blocking the democratisation and reconstruction of Iraq,” the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun daily said in an editorial.”It is the principle of the international community not to bow to terrorists’ threats, so it was only natural that the prime minister quickly declared his firm stance.”Liberal media echoed that view.Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shuzen Tanigawa told reporters after arriving in Amman that there had been no contact with the hostage-takers and that he would ask Iraq’s neighbours to help resolve the crisis.”I will gather and analyse as much information as possible and put in all efforts to win his release.”Five Japanese civilians were taken hostage in Iraq in April and militants threatened to kill three of them unless Japan pulled out its troops.The hostages were released, but came under heavy criticism for going to Iraq despite government warnings about the danger.Media, officials and many ordinary Japanese questioned what had prompted Koda to risk his life by travelling to Iraq.”Why did Mr Koda go to Iraq at this time? There are reports that he didn’t think it was very dangerous,” said the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business daily.”It cannot be helped if this is called a reckless act.”Media reports said Koda, who comes from Fukuoka in southern Japan, had taken a bus to Iraq from Amman last week despite being told by locals of the dangers of a foreigner entering Iraq.- Nampa-ReutersPrime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has insisted that Japan’s non-combat troops would stay in southern Iraq, a decision that won backing from Japanese media.”This is a wicked crime aimed at blocking the democratisation and reconstruction of Iraq,” the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun daily said in an editorial.”It is the principle of the international community not to bow to terrorists’ threats, so it was only natural that the prime minister quickly declared his firm stance.”Liberal media echoed that view.Senior Vice Foreign Minister Shuzen Tanigawa told reporters after arriving in Amman that there had been no contact with the hostage-takers and that he would ask Iraq’s neighbours to help resolve the crisis.”I will gather and analyse as much information as possible and put in all efforts to win his release.”Five Japanese civilians were taken hostage in Iraq in April and militants threatened to kill three of them unless Japan pulled out its troops.The hostages were released, but came under heavy criticism for going to Iraq despite government warnings about the danger.Media, officials and many ordinary Japanese questioned what had prompted Koda to risk his life by travelling to Iraq.”Why did Mr Koda go to Iraq at this time? There are reports that he didn’t think it was very dangerous,” said the Nihon Keizai Shimbun business daily.”It cannot be helped if this is called a reckless act.”Media reports said Koda, who comes from Fukuoka in southern Japan, had taken a bus to Iraq from Amman last week despite being told by locals of the dangers of a foreigner entering Iraq.- Nampa-Reuters