Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq - Japanese Media (Reuters)
Grok Headline matches for Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq - Japanese Media (Reuters)
Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media
Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq -
Japanese Media
04/11/2004 06:50 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 10:50AM GMT
Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
(Reuters)
Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
(Reuters)
04/17/2004 07:38 AMReuters - 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.
More Hostages Held in Iraq, Deadline for
Japanese (Reuters)
More Hostages Held in Iraq, Deadline for
Japanese (Reuters)
04/10/2004 12:48 PMReuters - 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 Freed in Iraq, Iranian
Killed (Reuters)
Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq, Iranian
Killed (Reuters)
04/15/2004 11:49 PMReuters - 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 AMReuters - Three freed Japanese hostages arrived in
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Friday from Baghdad after
being released by their Iraqi captors.
Three Japanese Hostages Freed, Safe But
Shaken
Three Japanese Hostages Freed, Safe But
Shaken
04/15/2004 10:14 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 15 2004 1:46PM GMT
Japanese hostages in Iraq freed
Japanese hostages in Iraq freed
04/15/2004 09:08 AMThree Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq; Italian
Captive Killed
via Al
Two More Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)
Two More Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)
04/17/2004 06:05 PMus.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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Last Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)
Last Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq
(AP)
04/17/2004 03:36 AMAP - Two remaining Japanese hostages in Iraq have been released, Arab
TV stations reported Saturday, two days after three other Japanese
were freed.
Three Japanese hostages in Iraq freed
Three Japanese hostages in Iraq freed
04/15/2004 10:31 AMTwo Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
Two Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
04/17/2004 10:06 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 17 2004 1:35PM GMT
Japanese hostages freed in Iraq
Japanese hostages freed in Iraq
04/17/2004 08:39 AMIraqi militants free two Japanese hostages, a day after a US soldier
is shown on video with armed kidnappers.
Reaction of Japan to the Japanese
Hostages in Iraq
Reaction of Japan to the Japanese
Hostages in Iraq
04/30/2004 03:22 AMSeveral 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.
Japanese hostages threatened with
cannibalism in Iraq
Japanese hostages threatened with
cannibalism in Iraq
04/09/2004 03:56 PMThe 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.
"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
Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq,
Falluja Calm
Two Japanese Hostages Freed in Iraq,
Falluja Calm
04/17/2004 04:41 PMReuters via Wired News Apr 17 2004 7:44PM GMT
Japanese Hostages in Iraq to Be Freed
Sunday -Kyodo
Japanese Hostages in Iraq to Be Freed
Sunday -Kyodo
04/10/2004 09:41 PMReuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 1:43AM GMT
Two More Japanese Reported Kidnapped in
Iraq (Reuters)
Two More Japanese Reported Kidnapped in
Iraq (Reuters)
04/14/2004 07:57 PMReuters - Two more Japanese civilians have been
kidnapped in Iraq in addition to three taken hostage by
militants last week, Japanese media said on Thursday, as the
hostage crisis dragged on with little sign of resolution.
Iraq Group Says Will Free Japanese
Before Deadline (Reuters)
Iraq Group Says Will Free Japanese
Before Deadline (Reuters)
04/10/2004 08:33 PMReuters - Families of three Japanese civilians
kidnapped in Iraq rejoiced on Sunday at a report that they
would shortly be freed, while the Japanese government scrambled
to confirm the information.
Driver Says Both Japanese Killed in Iraq
Attack (Reuters)
Driver Says Both Japanese Killed in Iraq
Attack (Reuters)
05/28/2004 01:49 AMReuters - An Iraqi driver working for two
missing Japanese journalists said both were killed in an attack
on their vehicle south of Baghdad, the director of the hospital
where their bodies were taken said on Friday.
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 hostages 'to be freed'
Japanese hostages 'to be freed'
04/10/2004 08:31 PMJapan
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.
Cheney Appeals to Divided Japanese for
Iraq Unity (Reuters)
Cheney Appeals to Divided Japanese for
Iraq Unity (Reuters)
04/12/2004 11:16 PMReuters - Vice President Dick Cheney appealed
Tuesday to a divided Japanese public, in shock over the
kidnapping of three civilians in Iraq, to get behind the
U.S.-backed mission there at a difficult time.
Japanese ex-hostages billed $21,000 for
travel expenses
Japanese ex-hostages billed $21,000 for
travel expenses
04/26/2004 02:24 PMFor Japanese Hostages, Release Only Adds
to Stress
For Japanese Hostages, Release Only Adds
to Stress
04/22/2004 08:10 PMThe 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.
Chilly reception for freed Japanese
hostages
Chilly reception for freed Japanese
hostages
04/23/2004 04:24 PMIraqi 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 AMAn 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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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 PMhostage-taking and threats .. is our cultural betters .. threatened ..
ThisLondon
thisislondon.com/til/jsp/modules/Article/print.jsp?itemId
=10169441
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Japan Hostages Said Safe in Iraq,
Relatives Anxious
Japan Hostages Said Safe in Iraq,
Relatives Anxious
04/11/2004 04:18 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 7:50AM GMT
Negotiator Tells Japan Hostages Safe in
Iraq-Kyodo
Negotiator Tells Japan Hostages Safe in
Iraq-Kyodo
04/11/2004 03:51 PMReuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 7:39PM GMT
2 more Japanese abducted in Iraq
2 more Japanese abducted in Iraq
04/14/2004 01:20 PMCheney Pledges Help for Japanese in Iraq
(AP)
Cheney Pledges Help for Japanese in Iraq
(AP)
04/11/2004 10:49 AMAP - Vice President Dick Cheney was pledging U.S. support to Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi in pressing ahead with plans to double
Japan's noncombat forces in Iraq despite the furor over the abduction
of three citizens, U.S. officials said Sunday.
Kidnappers Free Two Japanese in Iraq
Kidnappers Free Two Japanese in Iraq
04/17/2004 10:06 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 17 2004 1:35PM GMT
Two More Japanese Reported Kidnapped in
Iraq
Two More Japanese Reported Kidnapped in
Iraq
04/14/2004 09:23 PMReuters via Wired News Apr 15 2004 1:15AM GMT
Japanese Journalists Killed In Iraq
Japanese Journalists Killed In Iraq
05/28/2004 10:51 AMFree Internet Press May 28 2004 3:08PM GMT
Japanese Man Sues Over Iraq Kidnapping
(AP)
Japanese Man Sues Over Iraq Kidnapping
(AP)
06/09/2004 05:51 AMAP - A Japanese activist who was briefly held captive in Iraq has sued
his own government, saying its decision to send troops to the region
angered his kidnappers and was to blame for his ordeal.
Mustached Japanese soldiers in Iraq and
Oshin
Mustached Japanese soldiers in Iraq and
Oshin
03/06/2004 01:56 AMInteresting
article by Mike Rogers describing the influence of the popular
Japanese TV drama Oshin and mustached Japanese soldiers in Iraq. Also
some interesting perspectives about the ability to identify with
suffering and Japan's relationship with the Middle East.
Alright, think about Oshin. Think about that story and
that kind of suffering. I don't think Americans can relate to that. Of
course Japanese can.
And, get this: Oshin has been broadcast in most Middle Eastern
countries for at least the last 12 years. Iran? Sure. According to the
Nikkei Shimbun News Oshin scores a remarkable 82% viewer rating; Iraq?
Of course 76.7%; Thailand? 81.6%; China!? I thought most Chinese
people hate Japanese because of the war! Yeah, well, maybe so, but
they love Oshin! 75.9% viewer rating in China; Poland? 70%.
Gee, I wonder if the people in the Middle East can relate to this
kind of starvation, suffering, and pain? Of course they can.
Which brings me to the next part of this puzzle: The Japanese
military has ordered all troops in Iraq to grow beards and moustaches.
Weird, eh? Well, no... Smart. Besides understanding the ways of
society in the Middle-East, Oshin's husband has a moustache. Don't
believe me? Check this out:
* Japanese army opts for new form
of camouflage
Via Bob
Iraq Group Says Will Free Japanese
Before Deadline
Iraq Group Says Will Free Japanese
Before Deadline
04/10/2004 09:41 PMReuters via Wired News Apr 11 2004 1:43AM GMT
Cheney Appeals to Divided Japanese for
Iraq Unity
Cheney Appeals to Divided Japanese for
Iraq Unity
04/13/2004 12:37 AMReuters via Wired News Apr 13 2004 4:51AM GMT
Grok Description matches for Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq - Japanese Media (Reuters)
GrokA matches for Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq - Japanese Media (Reuters)
Japanese Hostages Safe in Iraq - Japanese Media (Reuters)
