Japanese hostages 'to be freed'

Grok Headline matches for Japanese hostages 'to be freed'

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Chilly reception for freed Japanese
hostages

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

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

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

Japanese hostages threatened with
cannibalism in Iraq

Japanese hostages threatened with
cannibalism in Iraq 04/09/2004 03:56 PM

The Japanese news has been suppressing the more vivid videos of the hostage situation in Iraq and continue the "we are not pulling out" line. One piece of news that even the West seems to be suppressing is that the Japanese hostages are being threatened with cannibalism.

Reuters

"We tell you that three of your children have fallen prisoner in our hands and we give you two options -- withdraw your forces from our country and go home or we will burn them alive and feed them to the fighters," the group said.

Most reports are saying "killed" or "burned alive".

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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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

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

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

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.

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.

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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Iraq woman prisoner 'to be freed'

Iraq woman prisoner 'to be freed' 09/22/2004 02:30 AM
The family of a British hostage in Iraq await news of his fate, amid reports that a woman scientist may be freed.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq woman
prisoner 'to be freed'

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Iraq woman
prisoner 'to be freed' 09/22/2004 10:11 AM
Iraq woman 'to be freed' as US hostages reportedly killed .. Iraqi female scientist Dr. Germ set free .. Iraqi government blinks

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3678794.stm
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"We do not take hostages"

"We do not take hostages" 04/11/2005 02:34 PM
The U.S. denies that two Iraqi women seized by the Army were to be used as bargaining chips for their fugitive male relatives.

Joi on the hostages...

Joi on the hostages... 04/30/2004 11:19 PM
Joi has a fascinating blog entry trying to interpret to us non-Japanese the reception the released hostages received. An excerpt: 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... In the comments is a link to this long and moving account by Marine Lieutenant Colonel M.R. Strobl of his experience escourting the...

Hostages Update

Hostages Update 04/11/2004 10:16 PM

The Command Post

Hostages Released?

Fox TV is reporting that at least eight hostages have been released and the three Japanese hostages are “safe.”

No confirmation on this yet, will follow up.

Aljazeera

Fate of Japanese hostages uncertain

Monday 12 April 2004, 4:44 Makka Time, 1:44 GMT

The lives of three Japanese hostages in Iraq are still in jeopardy, with their captors apparently threatening to start killing them unless Japan withdraws its forces

Aljazeera

Eight foreign hostages freed

Sunday 11 April 2004, 21:39 Makka Time, 18:39 GMT

An Iraqi group says it has released eight foreign hostages following the intervention of Muslim scholars on their behalf.

A videotape aired by Aljazeera on Sunday showed eight frightened captives holding their passports and giving their nationalities. The hostages were seen guarded by masked men with arms.

The hostages were three from Pakistan, two Turks, an Indian, a Nepali and one from the Philippines.

So the Japanese were not among the released, but I wonder what "safe" means. Does anyone else have any news on this?

More on Hostages as a Tool of War

More on Hostages as a Tool of War 09/20/2004 01:13 PM
10 Turkish employees working in Iraq for a construction company (Vinscan) are being held hostage by the Salafist Brigades of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.  They were mostly working as truck drivers for the company.  The company is one of 21 companies working on an Iraqi road project.  The demand:  the company withdraw from Iraq in three days.  This is yet another example of "Halliburton" targeting (which has radically distorted the markets for reconstruction and military support services).  Seven Turkish companies have already withdrawn from Iraq due to global guerrilla pressure (which provides a positive feedback loop for this activity).

It is also claimed that 15 Iraqi national guardsmen are being held as hostages by another group.  It's unclear how this can be converted into leverage to disrupt the market for "security services" in Iraq (I am writing up something on undermining "US exports of security services" for my global guerrillas site).

It is clear that the Iraq's bazaar of violence is both continuing its pattern of innovation and reinforcing success.  Please note that almost all of this is under the radar of the US stabilization effort in Iraq.

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.

"Women of peace are hostages of war"

"Women of peace are hostages of war" 09/09/2004 11:02 AM
After the kidnapping of two Italian women in Baghdad and other security threats, many international aid agencies are preparing to pull out of Iraq.

Iraqis hold 40 hostages

Iraqis hold 40 hostages 04/13/2004 06:24 PM

Tensions over Asian hostages

Tensions over Asian hostages 04/13/2004 03:09 AM
Seven Chinese workers are released, but the fate of three Japanese hostages remains unknown.

Captors seize Bulgarian hostages

Captors seize Bulgarian hostages 07/08/2004 10:19 PM
A militant group in Iraq threatens to kill two Bulgarian hostages, in a videotaped message aired on Arab TV.

Cheney Vows U.S. Aid for Japan Hostages
(AP)

Cheney Vows U.S. Aid for Japan Hostages
(AP) 04/12/2004 11:16 PM
AP - Vice President Dick Cheney thanked Japan's prime minister Monday for not giving in to Iraqi insurgents and kidnappers who are demanding withdrawal of Japanese troops in exchange for the release of Japanese hostages. He condemned "sudden random strikes" against innocent civilians in Iraq.

'Threat to kill' Italian hostages

'Threat to kill' Italian hostages 04/26/2004 10:30 AM
Arabic TV broadcasts a tape purportedly from militants threatening to kill three Italian hostages within five days.

Colombia reverses hostages stance

Colombia reverses hostages stance 08/18/2004 10:00 PM
Colombia offers to exchange jailed rebels for hostages held by Farc militants - a reversal of earlier policy.

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 'to be freed'
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Japanese hostages 'to be freed'

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