Mediator terminates efforts to free Japanese journalist held hostage in Syria

A tough decision but the right one by the J gov. I respect the work of journalists in the field, but they do it at their own risk.

Perhaps Tokyo should petition Ankara and Riyadh for help...

Abe does not care about the lives of Japanese citizens.

As far as I know, what Abe did was to make sure the family of the hostage would never appear on Japanese TV.

Abe does not care about the Japanese abductees in North Korea.

He does not care about the Japanese citizens held in China for allegedly spy charges, either.

Abe does not care about the Japanese abductees in North Korea.

But what about the blue ribbon he wears? Cynical exploitation of families' hopes in the run-up to an election?

A preposterous suggestion!

SenseNotSoCommonJUN. 29, 2016 - 05:08PM JST

But what about the blue ribbon he wears? Cynical exploitation of families' hopes in the run-up to an election?

Yes, it is.

Hasuike Toru, who is a brother of a North Korea abductee, Hasuike Kaoru, wrote a inside story of Abe's inaction in rescuing the abductees in "The cold blood Abe and his men who have forsaken the abductees".

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%8B%89%E8%87%B4%E8%A2%AB%E5%AE%B3%E8%80%85%E3%81%9F%E3%81%A1%E3%82%92%E8%A6%8B%E6%AE%BA%E3%81%97%E3%81%AB%E3%81%97%E3%81%9F%E5%AE%89%E5%80%8D%E6%99%8B%E4%B8%89%E3%81%A8%E5%86%B7%E8%A1%80%E3%81%AA%E9%9D%A2%E3%80%85-%E8%93%AE%E6%B1%A0-%E9%80%8F/dp/4062199394

His brother was rescued during Koizumi Administration, but Abe, he says, claims too much credit for the rescue, even though Abe was reluctant for it. He supported Abe in the hope of rescuing other North Korea abductees, but he found Abe did absolutely no rescue effort, and he says that was the reason he wrote his book.

The government should never negotiate with kidnappers or terrorists, as it'll open up every Japanese national around the world as a target with a clear precedent of success

dcog9065JUN. 29, 2016 - 05:48PM JST

The government should never negotiate with kidnappers or terrorists, as it'll open up every Japanese national around the world as a target with a clear precedent of success

Fear mongering. "Around the world?" So, you say Japanese nationals in high security countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Australia, etc will suddenly be at risk of kidnapping? How could hostage takers go in and come out of those safe countries?

Ransom insurance is a booming business and the consultants know how to bring the case to a reasonable solution.

The was an old story that, if a man point a gun at you on a dark back street and demands 20 dollars, you should give him that amount of money. Is the story changed to you shouldn't so that other people walking on dark back streets should not be robbed?

Sadly another one bites the dust. Why do they do it?

Yasuda due to the fact that the Japanese government has not obliged to the kidnappers’ requests. The man then says he will no longer negotiate Yasuda’s release.

Instead of leaving everyone hanging here, share exactly what the government did not agree to in their requests.

Abe does not care about the lives of Japanese citizens.

Think a moment, if ABe doesnt give a crap about the refugees in Tohoku why should he be concerned about one individual journalist who got his ass caught in an area he KNEW that he should not have gone.

SOrry but this is on the guy, sorry as I feel for him, and more so for his family, he has to deal with this himself.

So, you say Abe should not take care of the refugees in Tohoku nor this Japanese hostage.

Did I say that? No I did not.....

MrBumJun. 29, 2016 - 04:36PM JST

A tough decision but the right one by the J gov. I respect the work of journalists in the field, but they do it at their own risk.

True. But, has it ever occured to anyone that he also just might be a Japanese operative?

But, has it ever occured to anyone that he also just might be a Japanese operative?

Talk about a conspiracy theorist here....just why would a Japanese operative be operating in THAT part of the world? They stick out just as bad as a foreigner in Japan.

is believed to be held by the Nusra Front, a militant group in Syria linked to al-Qaida.

Don't forget about the fact that they're being helped by the US, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies.

if the Japanese government did not initiate negotiations within one month of the release of the photo, the journalist would be handed over to the Islamic State.

And here I thought Al-Nusra and IS were enemies.....Also, this "moderator" and co sounds a bit shady to me.

This is the same guy who went there previously, was "saved" then went back again to start it all over. WTF was he thinking? And I still can't help thinking that he is staging all this for some strange reason.

Abe does not care about the lives of Japanese citizens. Abe does not care about the Japanese abductees in North Korea. He does not care about the Japanese citizens held in China for allegedly spy charges, either.

The guy in Syria went at his own risk and there has been plenty of warnings to the point that some journalist(s) had their passports revoked. Don't compare this to the North Korea abductees.

Japanese Gov't may have its own negotiation team after analyzing the message. Such as not written in Japanese style of top to bottom, with tight to left. There must be many requests to become dvotiator to get paid. Check Kannis, especially his signature. Japanese gov't is not gullible. Would not pay for phony rescuers without analyzing authencjty of message not written in Japanese styled writing with chicken scratches.

Japanese Gov't may have its own negotiation team after analyzing the message. Such as not written in Japanese style of top to bottom, with tight to left. There must be many requests to become dvotiator to get paid. Check Kannis, especially his signature. Japanese gov't is not gullible. Would not pay for phony rescuers without analyzing authencjty of message not written in Japanese styled writing with chicken scratches.

Toshiko, while I agree with you that the government will check out the story and background, your suggestion that the Kanji not being written traditionally as a reason to debunk, possibly, the claim, is pushing things a bit. In today's world few if any Japanese write traditionally.

Standard practice for most countries. They just don't pay terrorists. Nothing to do with Abe. Canada won't pay a dime either.

If they do execute him soon it will be really bad for the LDP during an election camapign. The oppostion will be able to use that .

If they do execute him soon it will be really bad for the LDP during an election camapign. The oppostion will be able to use that .

Two Canadian hostages were executed recently, with no hit to the popularity of the government (who refused to pay their ransom). Why would it be bad for the LDP? And did the LDP take any hit when the last two hostages were executed?

sensei258JUN. 29, 2016 - 10:57PM JST

This is the same guy who went there previously, was "saved" then went back again to start it all over.

I think you are talking about someone else.

DaDudeJUN. 29, 2016 - 10:59PM JST

The guy in Syria went at his own risk

You may cross the street, skate on the pond, climb mountain at your own risk, but that does not mean the government should not help you.

Lil PappyJUN. 30, 2016 - 06:53AM JST

Standard practice for most countries. They just don't pay terrorists. Nothing to do with Abe. Canada won't pay a dime either.

I wonder why this idea took such a strong hold on Americans. I think it was first introduced by Reagan administration during 1980s. Ransom insurance does exist and ransom is routinely paid to kidnappers. Though many billionaires in the US use the insurance, those in low income category are not informed of the fact. Paying small amount of money does not strengthen kidnappers nor increase the number of kidnappers. Paying ransom also give police the chance to arrest the kidnappers.

I agree, Japan made the correct choice. I believe the govt should help but depends on the situation. This dude went knowing full well it was not safe. He rolled the dice and lost, he only he is responsible for what happens to him.

Its better to sacrifice the one for the greater good of the rest. Hopefully other media folks see this and learn to stay out. No tears shed here.

Abe does not care about the lives of Japanese citizens.

That is not new ! Abe does put priority on economic development, rather than valuing human life.

I see people criticizing Japan, the guy that went there, Abe, etc.

Where is the anger directed toward the kidnappers. That is where the true anger should be directed...mine is.