Hostage crisis trips up Japan as it seeks global security role

"The briefing paper reviewed by Reuters said Japan would not have the legal authority to strike IS even after changes being sought by Abe to free Japan’s military from some of the restrictions of the pacifist constitution."

What a shame. I suggest that they make more radical changes to the constitution and send in their SEALS.

Yep, it appears Japan has gone by its standard play book & that is to try & get away with doing as little as possible, nothing being preferable.

Then while knowing 2 Japanese were being held hostage abe says whats obvious, that IS are terrorists, & that Japan will offer $200mil to OTHERS to help deal with IS etc

And then BAM, out of the blue..............NOT! Japan is front page news with 2 nationals that will be killed unless demands are met..............

And then panic sets in.

I hope somehow Goto comes home without having to pay a ransom or trade for the bomber but its looking unlikely.

We're in safe hands. The Foreign Minister alone has three generations of experience, and the PM and Deputy PM each have more political blood than the grisliest putsch.

What could possibly go wrong?

"Officials involved in preparations for Abe’s agenda understood that by naming Islamic State as a threat during a visit to Egypt, Abe was taking a risk... Abe’s comments obviously provoked them”

This is all Abe's fault! If he hadn't provoked the terrorists, Goto and Yukawa might have languished quietly in their custody for months longer!

"The government’s response to the crisis is bound to figure in a coming debate over military policy that could in future allow Japan to offer logistical support for campaigns like the U.S.-led bombings in Syria."

How about boots on the ground and kicking the heads of these wackos in coordination with a grand coalition of nations determined to wipe them out? No good?

Wouldn't have mattered these ISIs scum bags would have used these hostages for leverage anyway, just because you want to blame abe doesn't make him guilty , blame isis for crying out loud.

By last Friday morning, with just hours remaining before the ransom deadline, officials had not established contact with Islamic State captors and did not know where the Japanese were being held, a senior official said.

It's obvious the government is more than a bit out of it's element. Perhaps the ineptitude is due to government officials attempting to negotiate assistance from gaikokujin while trying to locate their citizens in "gaikoku" that has led to the lack of a focused effort.

@StormR

If you wave a red rag to a bull do you blame the bull for charging?

Do you blame an animal that has no resason-or do you blame the person who should have enough sense not to step into the the arena and provoke the animal?

Why aren't people blaming ISIS? They are the ones holding up people for ransom, and lopping off their heads if various governments don't agree to their demands.

It's ISIS that were involved in the recent terrorist attacks in France and Libya.

It's ISIS that are shooting Muslim teenage boys if they watch soccer, throwing gays off of tall buildings, raping women, and beheading people.

I see the problem as being ISIS. And countries around the world need to unite and get troops on the ground to take out this menace on humanity.

@Oxygenated

'Why are'nt people blaming ISIS?'

The culpability of ISIS is a given. They are incapable of humanity on any level. Ergo, any politician who goes directly into their region and provokes them when they have two of their citizens hostage is not the without their shame of blame.

What did he think would happen? Get real!

"The government’s response to the crisis is bound to figure in a coming debate over military policy that could in future allow Japan to offer logistical support for campaigns like the U.S.-led bombings in Syria."

This is exactly what I have been afraid of-----Abe (and his government) taking full advantage of the hostage crisis to provide seemingly plausible reasons to advance his militaristic policies.

There is absolutely no question at all that Abe provoked them -- he did. And now he has to defend it and make excuses why keeping the hostages a secret until it was too late isn't to blame for the government handling things so poorly. Even Abe doesn't seem to remember what he said and now claims the aid was for humanitarian purposes and had nothing to do with IS.

There is absolutely no question at all that Abe provoked them

Yes, there is a question, a whopping question at that. Combatting evil is an honorable endeavor. ISIS is evil

If a mayor of a town pledged to help wipe out gang violence and one of those gangs were to kidnapped or kill that town's citizens, I could never imagine anyone suggesting the kidnapping or killing of the citizen would be the fault of that mayor.

Neither is this the fault of Abe. It is only the fault of ISIS.

@ slumdog

You can bet the mayor of the town would think twice about 'combatting evil' if it were his own sons who were kidnapped. He knew ISIS is beyond reasoning with. He knew they had two Japanese hostages.

There are such things as tact, diplomacy and just general common sense-regardless of whether you think your role is to be self-styled champion against evil or an effective leader. The prime minister exhibited none of these. Yes, ISIS is to be held responsible, but Abe's lack of foresight, his inability to grasp the precariousness of the hostage situation is not above criticism.

The Japanese government knew for months that Islamic State militants were holding two Japanese men captive, but appeared ill-prepared when the group set a ransom deadline and purportedly killed one of them, according to officials involved in the crisis in the past week.

Ok everyone and their mother knew these guys were being held hostage.

The biggest foreign policy test of Prime Minister’s Shinzo Abe’s two years in office may have blindsided an administration that has pushed for Japan to take a stronger line on global security, according to the accounts of officials speaking to Reuters on condition they not be named.

Months of knowledge equals being blindsided? Holy cow, if months of knowledge equals being blindsided then I really do not want to find out how the government is going to react if some disaster hits.....

Wait...I already know....

Japan, you really need a leader with leadership skills!

Oxygenated

Why aren't people blaming ISIS? They are the ones holding up people for ransom, and lopping off their heads if various governments don't agree to their demands.

It's ISIS that were involved in the recent terrorist attacks in France and Libya.

It's ISIS that are shooting Muslim teenage boys if they watch soccer, throwing gays off of tall buildings, raping women, and beheading people.

I see the problem as being ISIS. And countries around the world need to unite and get troops on the ground to take out this menace on humanity.

Wow I cannot believe that this post at this time had received 5 read FIVE thumbs Down, some one types blame ISIS and you don't like it, wow unbelievable,

Shame on yourselves REALLY..disgusting.

ISIS Supporters on here .......

I'm afraid the Jordanian pilot and Goto may be killed at midnight tonite.

Japan's handling has been careful and forceful. Let's hope it works at 11:30 tonight.

Wow I cannot believe that this post at this time had received 5 read FIVE thumbs Down, some one types blame ISIS and you don't like it, wow unbelievable,Shame on yourselves REALLY..disgusting.ISIS Supporters on here .......

You want to know why it get's thumbs down? No need to state the obvious, except to the oblivious. Everyone knows IS is the problem, this is about the government HERE and how they stumble the hell around when it comes to foreign policy issues.

If you only care about thumbs up or down, you really need to get out from behind your computer, commando.

Hostage crisis trips up Japan as it seeks global security role

Very misleading!

Should read;

Hostage crisis trips up Prime Minister Abe as HE seeks global security role

Sheer political expediency on the part of Abe

Japan should not be seeking a Global Security Role, they should be trying to solve their domestic problems, rebuild their economy and give their people a better Quality of Life. They should be trying to build peaceful relationships with their neighbors China and South Korea and leave the Middle East problems to the Middle East Countries. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE etc. have more than enough money to provide humanitarian aid to those countries who need it and they are also the ones who should have boots on the ground fighting IS.

“Abe’s comments obviously provoked them,” said Masato Iizuka, an Islamic Studies professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

“Going out of your way to call a group of people terrorists and challenging them is bound to have consequences, and I think the risks, the impact it could potentially have on Japanese nationals overseas were underestimated.”

You don't play nice with these IS scum... as soon as you treat them as human beings you lose. They don't care what people think... they are a violent death cult who kill anyone and everyone. If they have hostages, they WILL kill them.

This is a particularly one sided and unjustifiably negative journalism. To judge any governments foreign policy on the ability to de-escalate a hostage crisis is grossly unfair. The Government of Japan's offer of $200 million in humanitarian aid was a measured response to counter the inceasing threat to terrorism. The response from ISIL was a grievous atrocity.

The Government of Japan's offer of $200 million in humanitarian aid was a measured response to counter the inceasing threat to terrorism. The response from ISIL was a grievous atrocity.

Someone has things backwards here. THe folks were kidnapped months before Abe made the announcement, not offer mind you, of humanitarian aid.

IS is if anything opportunistic and Abe is an idiot for making the announcement, while knowling they were hostages, and in the ME to boot.

Just goes to prove that Abe is clueless about foreign policy.

You can bet the mayor of the town would think twice about 'combatting evil' if it were his own sons who were kidnapped. He knew ISIS is beyond reasoning with.

The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing.

ISIS kills, plain and simple. It is precisely because ISIS is beyond reasoning that they must be stopped.

If you blame Abe, then it must follow that you support ISIS.

No, I don't think that is it. It is that some are basically giving ISIS a free pass with their 'Yeah, ISIS is bad, but....' way of shifting the blame from where it belongs to where it does not.

slumdog: "Yes, there is a question, a whopping question at that. Combatting evil is an honorable endeavor. ISIS is evil "

That's not at all a question in regards to provocation. No one is disagreeing that they are evil. They are. And Abe provoked evil people. No one is saying combating evil is bad -- Japan is not combating them; he offered to give aid to those who do, and THAT was the provocation. He could have pledged the aid without standing in front of an Israeli flag and attacking IS. He did not. They KNOW that was a mistake and provocation on Abe's part because now they make no mention of what he said, only saying that they pledged money for infrastructure and humanitarian aid (not for those fighting IS).

Again, no one is saying IS is not evil. No one is saying they are not responsible for their own actions. What people are pointing out is the obvious facts that Abe chose his words poorly, and those words provoked people you DON'T want to provoke unless you want them to target you. And they have.

@smithinjapan

Exactly. A though some tend to see apportioning blame to Abe as giving a free pass to ISIS, which is not the same thing at all. One heinous act of barbarity, does not excuse a monumental lack of diplomacy-Well said.

That's not at all a question in regards to provocation.

It is ISIS that is provoking the world into action.

No one is disagreeing that they are evil. They are.

Then they should be stopped.

And Abe provoked evil people.

No, he offered support to countries combatting evil, which you admit ISIS is. Combatting evil is a good thing.

No one is saying combating evil is bad

But supporting those that do combat evil is somehow bad? Sorry, that makes no sense at all.

Japan is not combating them

Japan cannot combat then physically as you well know. You also know you would be against any changes in the constitution to allow such a thing, so why even bring it up?

he offered to give aid to those who do

Which is the right thing to do. You just wrote above that combatting evil is not bad. Kind of a weak statement. It is a good thing to combat evil. It is the right thing to do.

and THAT was the provocation.

I do not accept that argument. ISIS had them for months. What do you think was going to happen to them either way? Flowers and chocolates? Abe offered to help those combatting what we all admit is evil. I cannot understand complaints against that.

What people are pointing out is the obvious facts that Abe chose his words poorly

What specific words do you think Abe 'chose poorly'?

Evil should be clearly recognized and it should be wiped out.

Those combatting evil and those supporting them should be lauded, not chided.

Japanese government has always been slow and ill prepared on security matters .

Islamic State militants were holding two Japanese men captive, but appeared ill-prepared when the group set a ransom deadline and purportedly killed one of them

Name a nation that is prepared for a hostage situation when no one knows where the hostages are being held?

Japan did the right thing by not paying the terrorist demands. It acted like a responsible nation protecting the rest of it's citizens abroad. If you pay the ransom expect more of your citizens to be taken.

This didn't harm Japan overseas, this just woke the Japanese up to the real modern world. Hope that it takes the correct path and start doing it's part to hunt down terrorist and their sympathizers here!

If you stop the flow of money going to these terrorist then they will have a hard time keeping their wars going!

Time for Japan to start cracking down on folks who support terrorist.......

@slumdog

I do not accept the argument that going into a region when you have two of your own citizens being held hostage and publicly offering support (of any kind) to their enemies, when they have a proven track record of executing people shows a monumental lack of strategy, diplomacy or any demonstrable understanding of the geo-politics of the region.

Evil should be clearly recognized and it should be wiped out.

Yeah, thats what informed the Gulf War-and it is precisely that lack of nuanced consideration that led to the birth of ISS in the first place.

slumdog: "No, he offered support to countries combatting evil, which you admit ISIS is. Combatting evil is a good thing."

Wow. When you don't like something your brain really hits the 'disconnect' button, doesn't it? He offered support, literally, for those FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE. THAT is in turn what provoked them to attack Japan. You canNOT deny it. Combating evil is good, absolutely. Inviting them to your doorstep and then later asking why they came, though, is just silly.

publicly offering support (of any kind) to their enemies

ISIS are the world's enemy.

when they have a proven track record of executing people

Exactly. Abe promising to help those combatting ISIS did not change this one bit.

Yeah, thats what informed the Gulf War-and it is precisely that lack of nuanced consideration that led to the birth of ISS in the first place.

Listen, we are talking about the present day. ISIS is evil. You admit this. This is not a case of theories about WMDs. This is real evil that you have acknowleged. So, please do not attempt to bring in strawmen.

He offered support, literally, for those FIGHTING ISLAMIC STATE.

Yes. You above said fighting evil is 'not bad'. Again, a very weak statement on your part. However, fighting evil is not bad. Why is supporting those who fight evil somehow bad?

THAT is in turn what provoked them to attack Japan.

? The two were captured MONTHS ago. Their capture had nothing to do with Japan's policies at all. The ones that captured Yukawa did not even believe him when he said he was Japanese.

You canNOT deny it.

I can and I do.

Combating evil is good, absolutely.

So, is supporting those that do so, absolutely.

Inviting them to your doorstep and then later asking why they came, though, is just silly.

? How exactly do you get that Abe did this?

I asked above, but you neglected to answer the question: What specific words do you think Abe 'chose poorly'?

Slum dog: "I can and I do. "

Well, that's why you'll always be asking "why" and always wonder why so many others know you play in a negative result despite you only wanting to take credit for only the good. But hey, blind supporters of Abe's policies wonder how things have gotten so much worse in Japan on his watch, claiming its everyone else's fault.

Hi Yubaru, a tad hapless, as you rightly point out that ISIL had both captive for some considerable time prior to the governments pledge of the reported 'non military aid'. Japan economy relies immeasurably on middle eastern crude oil imports. The link below details analysis up to July 2014.

Abe San middle eastern policy coupled with his current itinerary indicates a position relevant to the pledge of aid. The timing and response from ISIL clearly have left there mark. Governments have to politically roll the dice, in this case Abe San had little choice. The Government under diplomatic pressure to make a statement after the atrocities in France chose the middle ground.

http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ja

Something I would like to have cleared up: earlier reports state that Abe was planning to give a total of $2.5 billion "to Middle Eastern nations in nonmilitary fields such as humanitarian assistance and infrastructure development for regional stability." So far, so good-note these funds are NOT for fighting ISIS.

Later, the same report specified that of this 2.5 Billion dollars, "...a total of about $200 million will be provided to nations fighting against the Islamic State, including Turkey and Lebanon." Now, if this money is for "nonmilitary fields such as humanitarian assistance and infrastructure development" as clearly stated above, how can this money be considered "helping to FIGHT ISIS? So Turkey and Lebanon are (barely) fighting ISIS: if a government, any government, gives them money for tents, for refugee relief or for roads, can this actually be considered by anyone in their right minds as equating to "money for fighting ISIS?"

I ask because nowhere is this specified, while it is clearly specified that the ENTIRE package of funds are for "nonmilitary fields." Meanwhile, some here are suggesting that the 200 million was to be used for FIGHTING ISIS? So, do those who hold this view have a link or quote that says this is in fact true? Because I've yet to find it online...

As for the "expert's" claim that "Going out of your way to call a group of people terrorists and challenging them..." I completely disagree. Abe didn't "challenge them," as far as I can tell, while calling ISIS "terrorists" isn't "going out of one's way" at all, but rather merely stating a proven fact of reality!

It's all politics and propaganda to get people to think they're some type of authority or power in the world on both sides , let's just hope mr.goto comes home soon, good luck brother

Readers should be aware of smithinjapan's original opinion of Yukawa in August of last year:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/a-broken-man-living-on-dreams-pulls-japan-into-syria-hostage-drama

smithinjapanAug. 31, 2014 - 02:44PM JST

Sorry, but the guy deserves what he gets -- you don't just march into a war-zone with suicidal tendencies and think you are being 'selfless' and 'helping others' or what have you, then expect to garner sympathy.

My how your tune changes when it comes to an opportunity to get a dig into Abe, huh?

But hey, blind supporters of Abe's policies wonder how things have gotten so much worse in Japan on his watch, claiming its everyone else's fault.

Still waiting for the words you think Abe 'chose poorly'. Cat got your tongue.

Let me retort those claiming that Japan provoked ISIS. ISIS captured these two first. That brought ISIS on Japan's radar first. Then, even after realizing both were Japanese citizens, ISIS kept them which was a continued provocation to Japan. Japan had not been involved in any combat in the Middle East and had virtually ignored ISIS up to that point. Now, Yukawa was carrying a gun, but Goto was obviously harmless and ISIS knew this the moment they captured him and still know this. Again, all provocations on the part of ISIS to Japan.

To those suggesting that Japan's foreign policy should be dictated by ISIS and by hostages, it is a ridiculous suggestion. The minute you let people like ISIS dictate your foreign policy, is the minute you lose your freedom as a country.

Hey, smith, you claimed Yukawa 'deserved what he got'. It is right up there in black and white. The only reason you are commenting now is because Abe is mentioned.

ISIS is wrong, not Japan.

slumdog: "I asked above, but you neglected to answer the question: What specific words do you think Abe 'chose poorly'?"

And I answered you, as did many other posters, and as did THE ARTICLE ITSELF. That you choose not to listen is your problem. But hey, don't let me say it again for you, let's take exactly from the Japanese people themselves:

"“Going out of your way to call a group of people terrorists and challenging them is bound to have consequences, and I think the risks, the impact it could potentially have on Japanese nationals overseas were underestimated.”

"Officials involved in preparations for Abe’s agenda understood that by naming Islamic State as a threat during a visit to Egypt, Abe was taking a risk."

"But experts said the speech was likely to have brought the crisis forward."

“Abe’s comments obviously provoked them,” said Masato Iizuka, an Islamic Studies professor at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies."

Those are experts speaking, slumdog, not just little old you or me. And pointing out the fact that Abe made bad wording choices -- and that's fact -- does NOT mean in any way that people are standing behind IS or saying that combating evil is 'wrong' any other such black and white rubbish.

"Hey, smith, you claimed Yukawa 'deserved what he got'. It is right up there in black and white. The only reason you are commenting now is because Abe is mentioned."

You cherry-picked my comments, and for whatever reason my comments to you are 'impolite', but yours seem to stand. Yes, I did that say that, WHEN HE WAS KIDNAPPED, and I stand behind the fact that he he made his own bed, but that was before he was murdered. I do NOT believe he deserved to be killed or deserved that fate, despite the fact that it was still his fault he put himself in that situation. So if you are going to be cherry-picking, be sure not to draw your own connections that do not exist. I said the same for Goto and Yukawa over the past few days -- that they should not have put themselves in that situation (even as admirable as Goto's reasoning may have been). Just check it on the threads with their parents speaking where I say I feel for them, and hope this serves as a lesson for those who want to run off and join IS or to go to such places and think it is their and ONLY their responsibility.

As for Abe, which this article is largely focussed on, by the way, I haven't waited for this or any other article since he said what he said to point out that he should not have said it that way. And since I have answered your question more than once, how about you answer mine about how things have gotten so much worse in Japan regarding tensions with other nations and now the target of terrorism under Abe's watch, I mean, since you think he has 'done no wrong'.

Either way, this should instill some more growth in reality and responsibility for Japanese political society when it comes to playing on the global field. When someone starts playing the tango you don't start doing a waltz.

And I answered you

I asked you a specific question and you did not answer it. What words do you think Abe 'chose poorly'? What are the quotes specifically? How would you have changed the words specifically?

Yes, I did that say that, WHEN HE WAS KIDNAPPED, and I stand behind the fact that he he made his own bed, but that was before he was murdered. I do NOT believe he deserved to be killed or deserved that fate, despite the fact that it was still his fault he put himself in that situation

You specifically said he deserved what he gets. I did not cherry-pick anything. I quoted you and did so accurately. The link is above for interested readers. You wrote, "Sorry, but the guy deserves what he gets." You clearly knew what he was going to get and you were very clear how you felt about it.

I mean, since you think he has 'done no wrong'.

I have criticized Abe's policies at times. However, in this case, I do not believe he did anything wrong. Unlike you, I am consistent.

@Slumdog

Again a very broad brush stroke analysis of a complicated situation. 'ISIS is wrong not Japan'. Who is blaming Japan here? Or do you see Abe as the physical and ideological embodiment of Japan in its entirieity? As far as your rant about not bringing in 'strawmen', ISIS didn't appear out of a vacuum. They appeared out of a desire to 'Clearly identify evil and stamp it out' in Iraq, that had no long term stategy.

You can keep beating the tired old drum of good and evil here-but we are not in ethics class. We are witnessing a situation that has been fueled, fed and nurtured in that region by one political miscalculaton after another. ISIS is evil. Anybody knows that.. Nobody disputes that.The question is how you deal with it. Do you do it intelligently or do you do it in a way that endangers people's lives? That is the question that is being asked here. And for many the answer to that qiuestion is that it hasnt been dealt with intelligently.

Nobody is questioning the fact that ISIS have an insane world view-but that does not preclude, or exclude that Abe (Not Japan) made a mess of things.

interesting - a lot of criticism but yet what do you do when the kidnappers hit?

if you are lucky and have a lot of money - you can pay like France does if you know where they are and they can be justified for a seal team- you will go for them - that is the USA way. - otherwise you say - no negotiation

but here- we have a country that states no independent foreign intervention - this goes way beyond assisting the defense of the islands or a base with other countries.

so unless you want the Article re-written or struck- Abe is doing all he can in this difficult situation

Who is blaming Japan here?

ISIS is.

I used the word Japan to mean the Japanese government. I am not sure how you could see it any other way.

ISIS didn't appear out of a vacuum

They captured Japanese citizens out of one. Japan had nothing to do with ISIS and has generally had very good relations with the MIddle East enjoying a good reputation amongst the people living there.

ISIS provoked Japan, not the other way around. Now, expecting the government of Japan to accept policty orders from ISIS is totally unrealistic and also quite a dangerous precedent to make.

Abe (Not Japan) made a mess of things.

What mess did Abe create that caused ISIS to capture and keep captive two Japanese citizens for months? The answer? Nothing.

Let me repeat. ISIS did not appear out of a vacuum. They originated from a region destablized by war. A war that had the goal of 'stamping out evil'. Now you are advocating more of the same. Do you have an aftermath strategy for preventing an even worse scenario after you've stamped out evil? No, didn't think so.

And you asked the wrong question: 'What mess did Abe create that caused ISIS to capture and keep captive Japanesze citizens for months?'

The question should be 'Why did Abe have to show such poor judgement that he opened is his mouth knowing full well two Japanese hostages were in the hands of ISIS resulting in the executioin of one and the imminent execution of the other?'

Let me repeat. ISIS did not appear out of a vacuum.

Let me repeat, Japan gave ISIS no reason to capture, torture and murder its citizens. None.

And you asked the wrong question: 'What mess did Abe create that caused ISIS to capture and keep captive Japanesze citizens for months?'

No, my question is fine. Please answer it since you claim Abe created the mess that led to these two Japanese being captured and held for months and then for one of them to be murdered. So, again: 'What mess did Abe create that caused ISIS to capture and keep captive Japanesze citizens for months?'

The question should be

No, the question should be and is why did ISIS provoke Japan and capture two of its citizens. There was no valid reason for it. Zero.

You are suggesting that ISIS should be in control of Japan's foreign policy. I disagree.

At no point whatsoever did I claim that Abe was in anyway responsible for the capture and imprisonment of the hostages. Not once. Show me where I said that. Nor did I suggest Japan gave ISIS a reason to torture its citizens. Your question remains flawed because now we are not talking about the capture of Japanese citizens, we are talking about the murder of one of them and the possible execution of another., which occured AFTER Abe's Middle East trip

Don't try and manipulate the context here.

Did that decision appear out of nowhere? No, it was prompted by Abe's posturing in the Middle East.

Anyone who relies on "mainstream media" (aka propaganda) for information is not qualified to comment on international politics which involve factors and motives that are carefully hidden from the purview of the general public by those who manage the security state, manufacture public consent and even purport to create reality itself with the help of hired media shills, thus forming a perfect loop of disinformation. Hence internet blogs are clogged with cartoonish images of the world akin to Plato's shadows on the walls of a cave. In the real world the mess of the Middle East can be traced back at least to the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the politics of imperialism and energy security, the imposition of the state of Israel, and most recently the US-UK war of aggression against Iraq. ISIS is just one of the proverbial chickens that have come home to roost on Abe's head since he blundered blindly into a trap of his own making. He's already way out of his depth and if he does not find a way out pronto, Japan's exposure to terrorism on its soil will be increased with possible dire consequences ( as the British learned after Blair provoked the ire of Moslems with his destruction of countless Arab lives).

Why Japan (neutral Eastern nation) got even involved with this? I tell you why. Japan (Asian nation) has been supporting too much for America and European nations (Western nations). It is the best interest for Japan to keep strictly NEUTRAL. Japanese government don't understand this. I tell you this (killing one Japanese) is just a begging. Japan may not be able to retreat from this mess any more.

Did that decision appear out of nowhere?

Please show a case where ISIS released a captive that was captured individually. What makes you think that something was going to be different than the fate of the others captured by ISIS?

No, it was prompted by Abe's posturing in the Middle East.

Abe offered supported to friends of Japan. He offered support to fight against an obviously evil group. Do you honestly think the fate of these two Japanese changed because of anything Abe did? What is your evidence of this? Past actions on the part of ISIS will suffice as evidence.

Anyone who relies on "mainstream media"

We are honored by your presence. What do you use, tarot cards?

No need for Abe or anyone to tippy-toe around ISIS. They're slaughtering thousands of civilians. Loss of two Japanese hostages is just a droplet against that.

@Slumdog

Why do you persist when from the get go you misunderstood my argument? Half of your comments are written with the understanding that I blame Abe for the imprisonment of the hostages-and I said no such thing. The context of the article is about how recent developments were influenced by Abe's trip to the Middle East-and it has been in that context that I have been commenting.

However, this was something you failed to understand.

'Please show a case where ISIS released a hostage individually...'

Look, I don't have to show you anything. The evidence is staring you in the face.

Abe went to the Middle East and very publicly announced a pledge of 200 million dollars. Then ISIS made an iinitial demand of 200 million. Pure coincidence? Gimme a break. Yes, I honestly think the hostages fate changed because of this. So do a lot of people. If he wanted to help out he could have chosen a different avenue. He could have still donated money 'to the friends of Japan' without the song and dance and do it in a more private capacity. When people's lives are at stake you don't rub it into the face of their killer captors.

Japan must learn to step out of the box since we are living in a global village. It does not apply to all Japanese who step out if their comfort boxes facing the reality of the world as it is.