Japanese hostages threatened with cannibalism in Iraq

Grok Headline matches for Japanese hostages threatened with cannibalism in Iraq

Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media (Reuters)

Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media (Reuters) 04/11/2004 12:20 AM
Reuters - Three Japanese civilians kidnapped in Iraq were safe near Falluja on Sunday, Japanese TV said. Government officials could not confirm the report.

Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media

Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media 04/11/2004 06:50 AM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 10:50AM GMT

Two More Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)

Two More Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP) 04/17/2004 06:05 PM

us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http://story.news.yahoo.c om/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20040417/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_japanese_hostag es_freed
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Japanese hostages freed in Iraq

Japanese hostages freed in Iraq 04/17/2004 08:39 AM
Iraqi militants free two Japanese hostages, a day after a US soldier is shown on video with armed kidnappers.

Three Japanese hostages in Iraq freed

Three Japanese hostages in Iraq freed 04/15/2004 10:31 AM

Last Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)

Last Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP) 04/17/2004 03:36 AM
AP - Two remaining Japanese hostages in Iraq have been released, Arab TV stations reported Saturday, two days after three other Japanese were freed.

Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq

Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq 04/17/2004 10:06 AM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 17 2004 1:35PM GMT

Japanese hostages in Iraq freed

Japanese hostages in Iraq freed 04/15/2004 09:08 AM

Three Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq; Italian Captive Killed

via Al

Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
(Reuters)

Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
(Reuters) 04/17/2004 07:38 AM
Reuters - Two Japanese hostages were released in the Iraqi capital Saturday, saying they had been moved from house to house during their three days in captivity but had been treated fairly well.

Reaction of Japan to the Japanese
Hostages in Iraq

Reaction of Japan to the Japanese
Hostages in Iraq 04/30/2004 03:22 AM

Several people have asked me to comment on an article in the NYT about the reaction of to the Japanese people to the three Japanese taken hostage in Iraq. The article describes how everyone including the politicians in Japan are angry at the hostages for causing trouble to the Japanese government and being irresponsible.

There are many conflicting reports about whether they were reckless or not and what their motives were so I won't comment on that. I also don't feel strongly personally on this issue so I'm not going to make a judgmental point either. What I would like to describe is a bit more background on how Japanese think about responsibility and apologies.

I think one of the things that made many Japanese I know upset were the parents of the hostages making public statements about how the government should help get the hostages back without apologizing first about causing trouble for the government. Even if they didn't believe it, it would be proper Japanese etiquette to say this first. It's quite cliche, but it's true that if you get into an automobile accident in Japan, even if you think it's probably the other person's fault, you apologize first. Japanese are warned not to do this in the US because apologizes imply responsibility. In many cases, apologies in Japan are a formality and skipping them is rather rude. I think many people thought these parents were "rude" on a national scale. Another example of a throw-away apology is that when you ask for a waiter in a restaurant, you say, "I'm sorry... or excuse me." We often apologize profusely when in doubt or are requesting any kind of favor.

An important psychological element is that even though we are individuals, we often represent the group. I have something like 16 or so generations before me on my gravestone and I often feel like a mere blip in the history of my family. Taking risk or tainting my family name is not something that I can freely do without feeling the guilt and responsibility to my ancestors.

It's also interesting to note that most Japanese children's cartoons have story lines where they are a team. Often one of the members get in trouble or drop out of the group and the whole show is about how the group tries to help the drop out get back in tune with the group. It's usually the group saving the single "problem" member. On the other hand, many American cartoons are super-heros who are independent and save the world through taking risk and being different. I know I'm generalizing here, but people who watch a lot of Japanese TV will understand what I'm saying I think.

I once talked to one of the directors of the Sumo Wrestling association. She said she always had a great deal of difficulty explaining one of the core principles of Sumo to foreigners. Sumo wrestlers are not supposed to show anguish when they lose or happiness when they win. They are to be emotionless and stoic. "Like a rooster carved out of wood," she said. This is a very central theme to many of Japanese aesthetics. This Japanese stoicism is central to much of the Japanese lack of sympathy to heroics, I think.

Although I understand what the NYT article is saying and I don't necessarily agree with the way the hostages are being treated and picked on right now, I think that lack of initial apologies and the feeling of Japanese to heroics in Japan is behind the reaction. Having said that, I think this attitude is what is hampering Japan's entrepreneurism as well as Japan's ability to participate as a leader in global affairs. It's a fairly deeply rooted cultural theme that won't change very easily though.

As usual, I'm happy to hear dissenting opinions.

More Hostages Held in Iraq, Deadline for
Japanese (Reuters)

More Hostages Held in Iraq, Deadline for
Japanese (Reuters) 04/10/2004 12:48 PM
Reuters - More foreigners were reported missing or seized as hostages in Iraq Saturday after a spate of kidnappings, which included three Japanese civilians under threat of being killed Sunday.

Japanese Hostages in Iraq to Be Freed
Sunday -Kyodo

Japanese Hostages in Iraq to Be Freed
Sunday -Kyodo 04/10/2004 09:41 PM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 1:43AM GMT

Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq,
Falluja Calm

Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq,
Falluja Calm 04/17/2004 04:41 PM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 17 2004 7:44PM GMT

Freed Japanese Hostages Arrive in Dubai
from Iraq (Reuters)

Freed Japanese Hostages Arrive in Dubai
from Iraq (Reuters) 04/16/2004 06:17 AM
Reuters - Three freed Japanese hostages arrived in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Friday from Baghdad after being released by their Iraqi captors.

Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq, Iranian
Killed (Reuters)

Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq, Iranian
Killed (Reuters) 04/15/2004 11:49 PM
Reuters - Three freed Japanese hostages were due to leave Iraq on Friday but the murders of an Iranian diplomat and an Italian captive were chilling proof of the risks foreigners face as rebels battle the U.S.-led occupation.

Japanese hostages 'to be freed'

Japanese hostages 'to be freed' 04/10/2004 08:31 PM

Japan ese hostages 'to be freed' - BBCi

Iraqi group to free Japanese hostages - Aljazeera

The Japanese hostages in Iraq are supposed to be freed in a few hours. I'm watching the TV news for more information now.

Japanese hostages 'freed'

Japanese hostages 'freed' 04/15/2004 07:34 AM
Three Japanese civilians taken hostage in Iraq last week are reported to have been freed unharmed.

Japanese ex-hostages billed $21,000 for
travel expenses

Japanese ex-hostages billed $21,000 for
travel expenses 04/26/2004 02:24 PM

Chilly reception for freed Japanese
hostages

Chilly reception for freed Japanese
hostages 04/23/2004 04:24 PM

Three Japanese Hostages Freed, Safe But
Shaken

Three Japanese Hostages Freed, Safe But
Shaken 04/15/2004 10:14 AM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 15 2004 1:46PM GMT

For Japanese Hostages, Release Only Adds
to Stress

For Japanese Hostages, Release Only Adds
to Stress 04/22/2004 08:10 PM
The young Japanese taken hostage in Iraq returned home this week, not to the warmth of a yellow ribbon embrace but to a disapproving nation's cold stare.

Iraqi man claims Japanese hostages will
be executed one by one from later
tonight

Iraqi man claims Japanese hostages will
be executed one by one from later
tonight 04/12/2004 06:12 AM

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

An Iraqi man claiming to have spoken to the kidnappers says the hostages will be executed one by one from later tonight if the demands are not met.

Via The Command Post

Aljazeera.Net - Iraqi group to free
Japanese hostages

Aljazeera.Net - Iraqi group to free
Japanese hostages 04/11/2004 02:52 AM
"The group also called on the Japanese people to pressure their government to withdraw its troops from Iraq." .. the Iraqi group that's holding three Japanese hostages has dropped its threat to kill them

english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/75D2F232-7F1B-4909-9F9E-B8C41B0 E93D0.htm
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Soldiers say they are being threatened
with Iraq duty

Soldiers say they are being threatened
with Iraq duty 09/17/2004 06:16 AM
Another good one for "the troops". Iraq is being used to blackmail soldiers to re-enlist, or else...

Iraqi Militants Are Today Threatening To
Burn Three Japanese Hostages To Death
Unless Their Country Quits The US-Led
Coalition

Iraqi Militants Are Today Threatening To
Burn Three Japanese Hostages To Death
Unless Their Country Quits The US-Led
Coalition 04/09/2004 04:08 PM
hostage-taking and threats .. is our cultural betters .. threatened .. ThisLondon

thisislondon.com/til/jsp/modules/Article/print.jsp?itemId =10169441
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"Soldiers allegedly threatened with Iraq
deployment"

"Soldiers allegedly threatened with Iraq
deployment" 09/18/2004 08:55 PM

Family of Iraq Abuse Whistleblower
Threatened (Reuters)

Family of Iraq Abuse Whistleblower
Threatened (Reuters) 08/16/2004 10:11 AM
Reuters - Relatives of the U.S. soldier who sounded the alarm about abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison said on Monday the family was living in protective custody because of death threats against them.

Eating frog legs = cannibalism?

Eating frog legs = cannibalism? 07/01/2004 08:51 AM
Irania n woman 'gives birth to frog' (BBC) "While it is unclear how this could have happened, the [Iranian] paper carries quotes from medical experts who say there are human characteristics to the animal....Medical history recounts stories of people who believed they had frogs - or even lizards or snakes - living and growing in their bodies....One of the most famous was the 17th Century case of Catharina Geisslerin, known as "the toad-vomiting woman" of Germany. " Could this be connected to that 20 pound carp's apocalyptic warnings spouted in Hebrew, last year, as a fish cutter tried to club it to death with a rubber hammer to make it into gefilte fish? Or, maybe it was those new tomatoes? Or an Old Testament thing, maybe a prophecy?

Seven new hostages seized in Iraq

Seven new hostages seized in Iraq 04/12/2004 03:44 AM
Insurgents kidnap a group of Chinese on the road to Baghdad as a fragile ceasefire holds in Falluja.

U.S. General in Iraq Says Hostages Freed
(AP)

U.S. General in Iraq Says Hostages Freed
(AP) 06/08/2004 10:28 AM
AP - Coalition forces freed Italian and Polish hostages in bloodless military operation south of Baghdad on Tuesday, the top U.S. general in Iraq said.

Iraq Group Says Releases Eight Hostages
- TV

Iraq Group Says Releases Eight Hostages
- TV 04/11/2004 03:51 PM
Reuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 7:39PM GMT

Italy unites behind Iraq hostages

Italy unites behind Iraq hostages 09/08/2004 02:28 PM
Italian politicians agree to work together to try to secure the release of two women kidnapped in Iraq.

Jordanian hostages freed in Iraq

Jordanian hostages freed in Iraq 08/04/2004 02:39 AM
Four Jordanian lorry drivers are released unharmed after locals raided a house they were being kept in.

Deadline threat for Iraq hostages

Deadline threat for Iraq hostages 09/19/2004 12:30 AM
Militants threaten to execute three Western hostages unless all female Iraqi prisoners are set free.

Foreign hostages released in Iraq

Foreign hostages released in Iraq 04/22/2004 11:56 AM
Three more foreign hostages are released in Iraq, following a spate of kidnappings in recent weeks.

Wait Goes on for French Hostages in Iraq

Wait Goes on for French Hostages in Iraq 09/04/2004 06:22 AM
Reuters via Wired News Sep 4 2004 10:37AM GMT

Two Turkish Hostages Freed in Iraq (AP)

Two Turkish Hostages Freed in Iraq (AP) 07/02/2004 05:10 AM
AP - Iraqi insurgents on Friday freed two Turkish hostages whose company had reportedly promised to stop working with the U.S. miltary in Iraq to with their release.

Iraq hostages 'close to release'

Iraq hostages 'close to release' 08/01/2004 08:35 AM
Negotiators say a group of Indian, Egyptian and Kenyan drivers seized in Iraq may soon be released.

Emergency talks on Iraq hostages

Emergency talks on Iraq hostages 08/29/2004 03:50 AM
The French prime minister calls a crisis meeting to discuss the kidnapping of two French journalists in Iraq.
Grok Description matches for Japanese hostages threatened with cannibalism in Iraq
GrokA matches for Japanese hostages threatened with cannibalism in Iraq

Japanese hostages threatened with cannibalism in Iraq

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