So who is it? From AP: TOKYO – The Japanese government is “almost certain” a body earlier believed to belong to a Japanese hostage held in Iraq is not that of the captive, officials said Saturday. The government had said a body found in central Iraq resembled that of hostage Shosei Koda, 24, and that […]
Report: Japanese Hostage Killed in Iraq
The latest from AP: TOKYO – A Japanese civilian taken hostage in Iraq by militants has been killed, Kyodo News agency reported Saturday, citing a member of Japan’s ruling party. But national broadcaster NHK said the government was still trying to confirm the information. Government officials could not be reached early Saturday to comment on […]
“No matter what supreme ideas they talk about, suicide bombers are just killing innocent civilians, people who don’t have anything to do with their war”
A refreshingly insightful look at suicide bombers — from a Japanese former kamikaze pilot. From the LA Times, with thanks to Anthony: The survivors bitterly resent the world’s appropriation of the term “kamikaze” — meaning “divine wind” and originally coined to describe the unexpected typhoons that saved 13th century Japan from invading Mongol ships — […]
Three U.S. Allies Face New Threat in Iraq
Even though it only had 51 troops in Iraq, the Philippines has dealt the coalition and the free world a major blow by caving in to terrorist demands and withdrawing them. Not only will they not bring peace to the Philippines or the Middle East, but many more people will be murdered by the terrorists. […]
Three Japanese Hostages Released in Iraq
First the truce offer, and now this. The mujahedin seem to be feeling weak today. BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — Three Japanese hostages who had been threatened with death unless Tokyo withdrew its troops from Iraq were released Thursday, a day after militants executed an Italian captive. The two aid workers and one journalist were released […]
Jihadis renege on freeing hostages
Japanese TV reporting on the hostage crisis (AFP) From The Australian, with thanks to Nicolei: IRAQI insurgents late last night reneged on an agreement to free three Japanese civilian hostages, threatening to start killing them today unless Japan withdraws its troops. The threat to kill the first of the hostages within 24 hours was delivered […]
Al-Qaeda’s Japanese Terror Plot
They were planning to strike at the World Cup 2002. From AP: A senior al Qaeda member told U.S. authorities the group had plans to carry out attacks in Japan during the 2002 World Cup soccer tournament, local media reported yesterday. U.S. authorities advised Japan of the information, which is believed to have come from […]