Body Found In Iraq Not Japanese Hostage

KXAN ^ | October 29, 2004

[LadyShallott]

Tikrit, Iraq -- Iraqi officials say a body found near Tikrit is not that of a Japanese hostage. Initial reports that a bullet riddled Asian body had been found had upset Japan.

An Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman says the body turned out to be an Iraqi man and has been returned to the victim's family. The official says the death appears to have been due to a crime.

Tuesday, Islamic militants threatened to kill their Japanese hostage within 48 hours unless Japan withdrew its troops from Iraq.

Japan's prime minister has refused to meet the demand.

The deadline passed early Friday with no word on the man's fate.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Poor fellow.

He was warned in Amman, Jordan at the international backpackers' hotel there, NOT to go into Iraq, that it was way too dangerous.

He had not contacted his parents for nearly three months, just traveling around the world. A real independent soul. Not your average Japanese. Perhaps way too adventurous.

He did not follow the local advice and has been captured by the islamofascists or common criminals, and may now be killed. One must feel for his parents. To my knowledge, they have not demanded the Japanese government withdraw from Iraq, such as the families of other hostages did... so it seems the capture was not a set up or politically motivated. Just wrong place/wrong time. Sad and unfortunate....

[Question Liberal Authority]

Initial reports that a bullet riddled Asian body had been found had upset Japan.

But now they're OK with it?

[Henchman]

Well one thing is for sure, that person is no longer a hostage.

[cgk]

Glad to read this, though it doesn't leave me any more hopeful for Mr. Koda.

[AmericanInTokyo]

There was a news report in Tokyo some years ago when a plane went down in Southeast Asia. The news was broadcast on Japanese TV, rather excitedly and piecemeal. Then, the reporter finished the story with this update: ..."saiwai ni, nihonjin oyobi nihonjin no you na namae no kata wa, notteimasen deshita" (Translation: "Fortunately, it now appears as if no Japanese or anyone with a Japanese sounding name, is reported to have been on the aircraft.")

No kidding.