Japans steps up security on anniversary of hostage crisis

Japan has stepped up security at its embassies around the world on the anniversary of the Peruvian hostage crisis, in which armed rebels took hundreds of diplomats and ministers hostage.

Japanese officials said celebrations to mark the Emperor's birthday - during which the embassy was stormed - had been cancelled in Peru, Bolivia and other countries.

The hostage crisis ended afterfour months when Peruvian commandos stormed the embassy freeing the hostages and killing all fourteen Marxist rebels from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service